Cardiac Catheterization
In our advanced Cardiac Catheterization Lab at Foothills Hospital, BCH
cardiologists diagnose and treat a wide range of heart conditions. During
catheterization, a thin tube called a catheter is inserted into an artery
or vein and then threaded through your blood vessels to your heart.
Diagnostic Catheterization
During a cardiac catheterization, the physician is able to gather information
about your heart condition by:
- observing the condition of your arteries, veins and blood vessels
- measuring blood pressure and flow
- taking blood samples
- doing a biopsy of heart tissue
CatheterizationTreatments
-
Balloon angioplasty - During this procedure, a specially designed catheter with a small balloon
tip is guided to the narrowed section of the artery. The balloon is then
inflated to compress plaque against the artery wall and stretch the artery
open, increasing blood flow to the heart.
-
Stent procedure - Angioplasty is often combined with the placement of a small wire mesh
tube called a stent that props the artery open and decreases its chance
of narrowing again.
- Implantation of devices like pacemakers and defibrillators