Cardiac catheterization: A groundbreaking tool in the field of cardiology

Cardiac catheterizations have been a groundbreaking tool in the field of cardiology. This procedure offers a minimally invasive means for obtaining important information about the heart and its blood vessels, while also providing a less invasive treatment for certain heart conditions.

"A cardiac catheterization is a very important test that allows interventional cardiologists to see the heart as it pumps blood. The information gathered during this procedure cannot be collected by any other means," said Interventional Cardiologist Kimberly Skelding, M.D., Director of Geisinger's Women's Heart and Vascular Health Program and Director of Cardiovascular Genomics and Cardiovascular Research at the Henry Hood Center for Health Research.

Typically, the catheter is introduced into the body through a vein or artery, usually in the leg, and is guided toward the heart. Although doctors in the United States are increasingly utilizing the radial artery (in the wrist) as an entry point, it is still used less than 10% of the time, according to Dr. Skelding.

"Women are at higher risk for bleeding than men. One of the biggest benefits of passing the catheter through the radial artery is the risk of bleeding is almost completely eliminated," she said. "The radial artery is easier to control and bleeding, if any, is minimal."

One study, published in The Journal of the American College of Cardiology: Cardiovascular Interventions in 2008, indicated bleeding complications in all patients were reduced by 58 percent with the radial approach compared with utilizing femoral access during coronary catheterizations. Studies such as these have motivated Dr. Skelding to always try to use the radial artery first in her procedures.

"The radial approach is also ideal for older patients, as well as those who are obese or suffer from chronic back pain. These patients typically have difficulty lying down for hours after traditional cardiac catheterization," said Dr. Skelding. "Overall, patients experience higher levels of comfort when radial access is utilized as they can come back after the procedure sitting up in bed or even in a wheelchair."

Cardiac catheterizations can diagnose or evaluate coronary artery disease, congenital heart defects and problems with heart valves; diagnose causes of heart failure; repair certain heart defects or stenotic heart valves; and open blocked arteries in the heart.