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Heart Catheterization Risks



 Submitted by Nic on October 4, 2011

The health of the heart is one of the most important factors in determining the health and life expectancy of an individual. The heart performs one of the most basic functions of the body, that is, the function of pumping blood around the body. This function enables the body to receive nutrients and various substances that are needed for normal life. The heart’s condition can be monitored using various imaging tests. However, these will provide an external view of the heart and cannot be used to give a complete picture of the heart’s condition.

In order to produce such an image, a contrast dye is needed. This contrast dye must be inserted into the heart so that the various chambers and structures of the heart light up. The heart catheterization procedure involves the insertion of a catheter into a blood vessel in the thigh. This catheter is then passed up to the heart. Once it is positioned, the contrast dye is injected. Images will be taken before and during the procedure. As this happens, the functioning of the heart can be properly understood. Furthermore, these images are recorded for further analysis at a later stage where more than one expert may be present.

As with any medical procedure, there are some heart catheterization risks. The heart catheterization risks are fairly minimal, but they are important to consider. The wound site where the catheter is inserted is one possible site for heart catheterization complications to occur. The wound may not heal properly if it is not cleaned and dressed well. Infection is also one of the heart catheterization risk factors that one should be careful of.

As far as the heart itself is concerned, there are some important heart catheterization complications to consider. These complications include the development of clots, infections and blood vessel perforations. All of these are considered to be fairly serious. Blood thinners will be used to ensure that this does not happen. There are some rather serious heart catheterization risks to consider as well. Patients may suffer from heart rhythm problems if their cardiac equilibrium is disturbed because of the procedure. Furthermore, patients may also suffer from heart attacks if the procedure triggers a serious rhythm problem or if any dislodged material goes and gets clogged in a blood vessel. Patients who have deposits on their blood vessel walls may suffer from such a problem if any of these deposits get scraped off during the procedure.

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