Cardiac Catheterization

To find out the extent of blockage in the coronary arteries, Dr Khanuses a test called cardiac catheterization. Cardiac catheterization involves the insertion of a thin tube called a catheter into an artery. The catheter is threaded through the arterial system, where Dr Khan then advances it to the arteries in the heart. The most common test that is performed in conjunction with cardiac catheterization is angiography. During angiography, Dr Khan injects dye through the catheter that allows him to create x ray images of the heart's blood vessels. This allows Dr Khan to pinpoint the location and extent of problems with the heart's blood supply and decide on the best treatment. Both diagnostic and therapeutic catheterization, such as angioplasty and stenting, may occur during the same procedure.