Cardiac Catheterization - Diagnostics
Cardiac angiography (left and right heart caths)
Cardiac angiography is an x-ray exam of the blood vessels or the chambers of the heart. A very small tube called a catheter is inserted into a blood vessel in the arm or groin. A special dye called contrast is then injected into the catheter. The contrast allows the physician to view the flow of blood through the heart and take x-ray images called angiograms.
Vascular angiography
Vascular angiography is an invasive diagnostic test using a catheter to inject dye into the peripheral arteries. X-rays are taken of the dye within the arteries, allowing the physician clear visualization of the blood flow inside the artery where vascular disease occurs.
Carotid angiograms
A carotid angiogram is an invasive procedure that involves inserting a catheter into a blood vessel in the arm or leg and guiding it up to the carotid arteries, which are the arteries that supply the brain with oxygen-rich blood. With the aid of an x-ray machine contrast dye is injected through the catheter so that the physician can view the flow of blood through the carotid arteries and look for any blockages and/or narrowing in the carotid/neck arteries.
Renal angiograms
A renal angiogram is a test to examine the blood vessels of the kidneys, using contrast material and x-rays. It is an invasive procedure that involves inserting a catheter into a blood vessel in the arm or leg and guiding it to the kidney arteries. With the aid of an x-ray machine contrast dye is injected through the catheter so that the physician can view the flow of blood through the vessels of the kidneys and look for any blockages and/or narrowing in the renal arteries.
Fistulograms
A fistulogram is an x-ray examination of a surgically created passage for dialysis in the body (fistula). The contrast is injected directly into the fistula so that the physician can view the images by x-ray.