What does cardiac catheterization mean?
Cardiac catheterization is an invasive test in which a specially-trained cardiologist places thin, flexible tubes (catheters) through the blood vessels (arteries and veins) and manipulates them inside the heart. This is done using special x-ray equipment. The catheters allow cardiologists to obtain information about pressures in the heart and blood vessels, blood oxygen levels, and blood flows. Interventional cardiac catheterization also allow therapy of selected heart problems that in the past were approached by surgery.
