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Pathologies Detected by Cardiac Catheterization
Cardiac catheterization, as discussed earlier, involves the insertion of a catheter into the heart for the diagnosis of various diseases. Cardiac catheterization is typically used for diagnosing the following pathologies.
Aortic Dissection - Cardiac catheterization is a method used in treating aortic dissection. The catheter called a stent is inserted and threaded to the location of the tear. The stent then provides as a channel for blood flow with minimal leakage.
Aortic Aneurysm – As with aortic dissection, cardiac catheterization is a method of treatment. A stent is inserted and threaded to the location of the affected blood vessel. The stent provides a channel for blood flow without further damaging the widened blood vessel.
Congenital Heart Disease – Cardiac catheterization is performed to measure oxygen levels and pressures within the heart chambers. Cardiac catheterization may also be used as a way to treat conditions by closing holes to prevent mixing of the blood between chambers.
Aortic Regurgitation - Cardiac catheterization can be used as a diagnostic tool since it is a method of measuring blood pressure in the various chambers.
Atrial Septal Defects (ASD) – Cardiac catheterization has been used to evaluate this defect. This invasive procedure allows the analysis of the oxygen saturation in both right and left sides of the heart.
Cardiomyopathy – Cardiac catheterization has been used to measure blood pressures in the various cardiac chambers to diagnose this condition.
Coronary Heart Disease – Cardiac catheterization is used to inject dye to make the coronary arteries visible on x-rays, thereby showing where blockages are.