What is cardiac catheterization?
During a cardiac catheterization, interventional cardiologists thread a thin catheter through blood vessels and into the coronary arteries. Using X-rays, they look for signs of heart disease and determine the size and location of fat and calcium deposits that may narrow the openings in the arteries. If a blockage is discovered, the doctor may perform an angioplasty using tiny balloons and stents to open blocked vessels and restore blood flow to the heart.
                                                                                             Transradial Cardiac Catherterization (through the wrist)
GW Hospital is one of a few hospitals in the area to offer this alternate approach that has a lower risk of bleed complications and is generally more comfortable for the patient. Learn more.

Intracoronary Ultrasound
This procedure uses high frequency sound waves, or ultrasound, to evaluate the heart and determine different treatment needs. A miniature sound probe (transducer) is placed on the tip of a catheter and threaded through the coronary arteries to the heart where it emits sound waves to create the images.

Endomyocardial biopsy
Used mainly to diagnosis cardiomyopathy, this test involves cutting or scraping a small piece of heart tissue in order to examine the sample closely and detect any abnormalities.

Evaluation of Pulmonary Hypertension
Elevated pressures in the pulmonary arteries can be caused by a variety of conditions. In some patients, shortness of breath can be debilitating. While there are several treatment options, some options are best evaluated by testing response to medication during a right heart catheterization performed in the cardiac catheterization laboratory. These tests help the pulmonologists optimize patient treatment.

Cardiac Catheterization Treatments:

• Angioplasty/Percutaneous Intervention
• Atherectomy
• Thrombectomy / Thrombolysis

Learn more about Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

Advanced Devices
The following devices are implanted in the cardiac catheterization laboratory:

Cardiac-Assist Device
The Abiomed Impella cardiac assist device (the world's smallest ventricle heart pump) provides partial circulatory support for up to six hours in critically ill patients. The device is inserted through the femoral artery in the groin area and with the help of a guide wire is advanced into the left ventricle.

Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) Closure
An atrial septal defect is an abnormal opening in the wall (septum) that divides the two upper chambers of the heart (atria). Individuals with ASD are at an increased risk for developing a number of complications including:

• Atrial fibrillation (in adults)
• Heart failure
• Pulmonary overcirculation
• Pulmonary hypertension
• Stroke

If the defect is small and symptomatic, patients may not need treatment. However for larger ASD openings, when the heart is enlarged or patients are experiencing symptoms, treatment may be recommended. At GW Hospital, physicians implant an atrial septal device to correct this abnormal opening. This is done in the catheterization laboratory and involves placing an ASD closure device into the heart through tubes called catheters to seal off the opening. Patients will typically go home the same day as the procedure.