Cardiac catheterization, also known as a coronary angiogram or cardiac cath, is considered an invasive imaging procedure. According to the Cleveland Clinic, a cardiac catheterization is used to determine coronary artery disease, valve disease or disease of the aorta. The procedure can also determine the heart's muscle function and whether further treatment is necessary, such as surgery, coronary bypass graft or interventional procedures.
X-ray
During a cardiac catheterization, a small incision is made in the arm or leg and a catheter is inserted into a blood vessel. The patent is given a local anesthetic at the incision site, but remains awake during the procedure. The catheter is threaded through the blood vessel to the heart with the help of an X-ray machine. Dye is injected through the tube into the heart and surrounding arteries and X-rays are taken to determine blockages or abnormalities.
Myocardial Biopsy
The University of Maryland Medical Center lists myocardial biopsy as a diagnostic procedure done during a cardiac cath. A small instrument with jaws at the tip is inserted through the catheter and removes a piece of heart muscle. It is then sent for biopsy. This procedure is used to determine rejection in cardiac transplants, different types of cardiomyopathy or weakening heart muscle, and inflammation of the heart muscle or myocarditis.
Intra-vascular Ultrasound
Intra-vascular ultrasound, or IVUS, determines the extent of plaque build-up on artery walls. During a cardiac cath, a miniature transducer, or sound probe, is positioned at the tip of the catheter and emits high-frequency sound waves. According to the Cleveland Clinic, these sound waves produce detailed pictures of the walls of the arteries and shows the location of the plaque.
