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."