Cardiac Catheterization

Where is the catheter inserted in a cardiac procedure?

Through the arm, neck, or groin

Who performs a cardiac catheterization?

The cardiologist

What is the most popular approach for a left heart cath?

Percutaneous femoral artery 

What is the most popular approach for a right heart cath?

Femoral vein 

What kind of cath is used in a left heart catherization?

Pigtail catheter

What kind of cath is used in a right heart catheterization?

Swan-Ganz catheter

How does the catheter travel in a left heart cath?

Femoral artery, aorta, coronary arteries, AV, LV

How does the catheter travel in a right heart cath?

Femoral vein, IVC, RA, TV, RV, PV, PA

What are catheter indications?

CAD, LVFx, valvular heart disease, CMY, myocardial biopsy

What are cardiac catheterizations beneficial for?

Evaluation of congenital abnormalities & disease states for adults

What can be conducted during a right heart cath?

Blood sample - O2 saturations, detecting shunts, shunt size, calculating CO, and measure right heart pressures

What does a left heart cath provide info for?

Aorta, coronary arteries, AV, LV, & MV

What is best to evaluate LV function?

LV angiogram

What is a coronary angiogram?

Assess coronary arteries for CAD

What is injected on inspection for CAD?

Contrast agent

What is an angioplasty?

Catheter is placed in the lumen of the artery and the balloon is inflated at the level of the plaque

What is stenting?

Is inserted into the artery where the angioplasty was preformed & will remain in the artery and reduce the risk for reclosure

What is a stent?

An expandable wire tube

Where is a stent placed?

In the conjunction with the angioplasty

What is an atherectomy?

Used to open a partially blocked coronary by means of a catheter with a cutting device

What is a intravascular ultrasound?

Provides images of the coronary lunima and walls and can outline blood flow in the artery

With catheters where are pressure tracings directly recorded from?

The chambers

What is the relationship with pressure and velocity?

Related

What is the modified Bernouli’s equation?

P1-p2=PG=4(V)²

What is P1?

Pressure of the proximal chamber

What is P2?

Pressure of the distal chamber

What are max PG & mean PG measured by?

Spectral Doppler

What must be determined with an aortography/ventriculography?

Presence, severity, etiology of regurgitant valve

What is required in every accredited lab?

QA

What are contradictions with catheters?

GI bleed, acute renal failure, acute stroke, allergy to contrast, severe anemia, severe HTN, ventricular arrhythmias

What are risks of catheterization?

Bleeding of entry site, infection, injury to nerve/blood vessel, cardiac arrhythmias, low BP, reaction to contrast, stroke, MI, and death