Cardiac arteriogram is a process that is done to examine the flow of the blood to the heart and measure how well the blood is being pumped. This procedure is done for both interventional as well as investigational reasons, which means that it can be used as a diagnostic tool as well as for therapeutic uses. Cardiac arteriogram is a minimally invasive procedure wherein a long thin plastic tube known as a catheter is introduced in the body by a tiny needle puncture. This catheter is slowly guided to the heart, normally through an artery or vein in the leg or the arm. This procedure delivers important information about the heart muscles and its pumping ability.
Cardiac Arteriogram Reasons
There are two main reasons on why a cardiac arteriogram could be done. The first important reason is to obtain significant information about the heart’s functionality and the scenario of the major arteries prior to surgery. The second reason is to distinctly view the source of the trouble in the individual. This information is critical to the physician for planning any future procedure. Some specified examples include:
• ascertaining whether the individual is a good prospect for surgical operation and other medical procedures
• discovering the presence of any heart defect prior to the surgical operation that might be needed to correct a heart defect
• obtaining a clear picture of a shortcoming in the heart before attempting to surgically correct it, or to decide whether a surgery might be needed
A special x-ray dye is inserted into the catheter and injected into the artery or the vein. Images are taken as the dye passes through the catheter to reveal if there are any blockages present near the heart. With the help of a roentgenoscope, it displays the catheter and blood vessels in real-time on the screen. The medical professional is thus able to follow the course of the catheter.
If there is evidence of narrowed blood vessels or blockages towards the heart, the presiding medical professional may decide to perform an intervention in order to open up the blood vessel. A cardiac arteriogram informs the medical expert whether the individual’s heart vessels are blocked or open. As the doctor gains access to the heart, the catheters reveal the following:
• internal blood pressure of the heart
• measurement of the blood supply
• the position of the coronary arteries on the surface of the heart and the arterial blood vessels
• observation of the electrical activity in the heart
• monitoring the oxygen level in the blood
• measuring the competence and capacity of the pumping chambers to contract
• evaluating the role of the cardiac valves
A number of measurements may be taken when the catheter is in place, depending upon the doctor’s discretion. After the catheter is removed the patient is free to go home in approximately 6 hours. The results of the procedure are available to the medical professional immediately.