Cardiac catheterization

Cardiac catheterization is used to study the various functions of the heart. Using different techniques, the coronary arteries can be viewed by injecting dye or opened using balloon angioplasty. The oxygen concentration can be measured across the valves and walls (septa) of the heart and pressures within each chamber of the heart and across the valves can be measured. The technique can even be performed in small, newborn infants.

Review Date: 2/3/2025

Reviewed By

Scott I. Aydin, MD, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Ichan School of Medicine, Division of Pediatric Cardiology and Critical Care Medicine, Kravis Children's Hospital at Mount Sinai New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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