Overview
Diagnostic cardiac catheterization provides invasive assessment of coronary anatomy, intracardiac pressures, cardiac output, valve hemodynamics, shunts, and coronary physiology.
Core Components¶
Diagnostic catheterization includes:
- Vascular access and catheter manipulation
- Coronary angiography
- Left- and right-heart pressure measurements
- Cardiac output measurement
- Pulmonary and systemic vascular resistance
- Shunt assessment
- Valve gradients and valve area calculations
- Assessment of constrictive and restrictive physiology
- Invasive coronary physiology
- Recognition and management of procedural complications
How Catheterization Answers Clinical Questions¶
| Clinical question | Principal invasive assessment |
|---|---|
| Coronary anatomy | Coronary angiography |
| Intracardiac filling pressures | Right- and left-heart catheterization |
| Pulmonary hypertension | PA pressure, PCWP, cardiac output, and PVR |
| Low-output state | Fick or thermodilution cardiac output |
| Intracardiac shunt | Oximetry run and Qp:Qs |
| Aortic or mitral stenosis | Simultaneous pressures and valve area calculation |
| Constriction vs restriction | Simultaneous RV/LV pressure assessment |
| Intermediate coronary stenosis | FFR or non-hyperemic pressure ratio |
| Coronary microvascular disease | CFR and microvascular resistance assessment |
Planned Topics¶
- Cath Lab Fundamentals
- Coronary Angiography
- Hemodynamics
- Right Heart Catheterization
- Cardiac Output
- Shunt Calculations
- Valve Hemodynamics
- Constriction vs Restriction
- Coronary Physiology
- Complications
- Cath Report Writing
Resources¶
Recommended videos, textbooks, guidelines, and additional invasive cardiology references are available in Invasive Cardiology Resources
Note
This section is under development.