Angiography
A type of x-ray test, angiography allows doctors to see the blood flow within an artery. This is accomplished by inserting a thin, flexible tube called a catheter into a vein and guiding it to the area of interest. An iodine dye is then inserted into the vessel, which makes it more apparent in x-ray images. These pictures help to evaluate the amount of plaque in each artery and also can detect aneurysms or blockages.

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 the heart tissue in order to examine the sample closely and detect any abnormalities

Cardiac Catheterization Treatments:

Angioplasty
This is a less invasive treatment option that can be performed in the cath lab for those with coronary artery disease. Instead of open-heart surgery, angioplasty uses a thin catheter inserted through the patient's groin or arm to open the blocked coronary artery. This is accomplished by inflating a balloon at the end of the catheter once it reaches the artery, and its inflation pushes the plaque to the walls of the artery, creating more room for the blood to flow.

During an angioplasty, a device called a stent may be permanently placed in the artery to keep it open. The stent is a small, expandable wire that contains the balloon used to inflate the artery. When the balloon is opened, the mesh-like stent is pushed to the artery walls and the cells lining the blood vessel grow through the structure holding it in place. This procedure thus enables the artery to remain open well after the balloon is deflated and removed. Also, this is successful in preventing restenosis (the renarrowing of the arteries) and prevents pieces of the wall from breaking off. New drug-coated stents emit medication to the site, preventing restenosis.

Atherectomy
Similar to angioplasty, this surgical procedure uses a laser beam or a whirling blade to cut the plaque build-up on the artery wall. This increases blood flow in narrowed arteries and stents also may be implanted during this procedure.

Thrombectomy / Thrombolysis
The most effective procedure to treat deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a catheter-directed thrombolysis is performed under imaging guidance by interventional radiologists. DVT is a blood clot commonly found in the lower leg, thigh or deep veins of the pelvis. The clot may travel through the blood stream and potentially lodge in the brain, lungs, heart or other area, causing severe damage.

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