Cardiale katheterisatie I: Overzicht van de procedure vooraf

Cardiac catheterization is an invasive diagnostic technique used to identify and evaluate structural and functional diseases of the heart and major blood vessels.

It helps guide treatment decisions, such as determining the need for revascularization procedures like coronary artery bypass grafting.

The procedure involves inserting catheters through a major vein, such as the femoral vein, and a major artery, such as the radial artery, often using radiopaque contrast agents.

Fluoroscopy guides these catheters into the right and left heart chambers, known as right and left heart catheterization.

Both are typically performed together, but right heart catheterization alone may suffice for procedures like myocardial biopsies.

Before the procedure, check for previous reactions to contrast agents.

Patients undergo various blood tests to assess metabolic and renal function, including serum electrolytes and creatinine levels.

Baseline coagulation studies, such as prothrombin time and international normalized ratio, are performed to guide anticoagulation dosage during the procedure.

A complete blood count, including hematocrit levels, is also necessary to monitor for blood loss post-procedure.