Cardiac catheterisation, what is this examination?

By Cristiano Antonino On Dec 19, 2022

Cardiac catheterisation is defined as a particular technique that involves passing a catheter (flexible probe) through peripheral veins or arteries to reach the heart chambers, coronary arteries, pulmonary artery and veins

This particular medical procedure is used in particular to assess heart function or diagnose cardiovascular changes.

Cardiac catheterisation can be used to perform diagnostic tests or therapeutic procedures such as, for example

angiography;
coronography;
ablation of arrhythmogenic foci;
endomyocardial biopsy;
measurement of cardiac output;
measurement of myocardial metabolism;
intravascular ultrasound.

How is cardiac catheterisation performed?

The procedure is usually quite quick and usually lasts sixty minutes.

As a rule, cardiac catheterisation is performed under conscious sedation, except for some specific treatments such as ablation, valve repair or replacement, which are instead conducted under local anaesthesia.

During the procedure, a long, thin tube is used, which is introduced through a vein or artery via an incision made in the groin, arm or neck.

The device is introduced slowly until it reaches the heart muscle, at which point the doctor can perform various manoeuvres useful for diagnosis, such as injecting contrast medium.

After the cardiac catheterisation, the patient is taken to a room where he/she will be kept under observation until the effects of sedation wear off.

Discharge is generally expected on the same day, except in cases where therapeutic treatment has been performed in addition to visualisation.

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How do I prepare for a cardiac catheterisation?

Before performing a cardiac catheterisation, the patient is recommended to fast, avoiding taking liquids or food for 4 to 6 hours before the procedure.

In cases where the patient is undergoing pharmacological treatment, it is always a good idea to inform the doctor to assess what to do.

Once at the hospital, the patient will be given small venous access through the placement of a small needle with a cannula to allow easier administration of drugs and fluids.

*This is indicative information: it is therefore necessary to contact the facility where the examination is being performed to obtain specific information on the preparation procedure.

Contraindications to cardiac catheterisation

There are clinical conditions that are contraindications to cardiac catheterisation:

coagulation disorders
acute or chronic nephropathy;
allergy to contrast medium;
decompensated heart failure;
fever or systemic infections;
arrhythmias;
arterial hypertension not controlled by therapy.

In some cases, the relative contraindications are outweighed by the urgent clinical need to perform cardiac catheterisation anyway (e.g. in cases of acute myocardial infarction).

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Risks of cardiac catheterisation

Cardiac catheterisation is considered a low-risk procedure, but it is nevertheless an invasive manoeuvre that may be associated with possible complications, especially in elderly patients or those with concomitant diseases.

The incidence of complications due to cardiac catheterisation is between 0.8 and 8% depending on technical factors, operator experience and patient risk factors.

These include: