2025-2026
Cardiac Catheterization - Answers Invasive DIAGNOSTIC procedure in which RADIOPAQUE
arterial AND venous catheters are introduced into selected vessels to gain access to the RIGHT
and LEFT side of the heart & coronary artery circulation.
Purposes of Cardiac Cath. - Answers -Evaluate pressures in the 4 chambers of the heart
-Measure O2 saturations in the chambers of the heart
-Assess coronary artery patency
-Assess valve function
Right Heart Cath. - Answers -precedes L heart cath
-you can get a PCWP
-Pulm. artery is the furthest you can go
The right side of the heart is accessed by entry of the catheter into a - Answers vein
Access sites for catheters can include the __________ and __________. - Answers anticubital vein
& femoral vein
Potential complications of R heart cath: - Answers -cardiac dysrhythmia
-vein spasm (treat with nitro)
-perforation (will show s/s of cardiac tamponade)
-infection
Left Ventricular Cath. - Answers Cath. against blood flow to the left side of the heart
The Left side of the heart is assessed by entry of the catheter into a(n): - Answers artery
Access sites for catheters can include the __________, __________, and the __________. - Answers
femoral artery, anticubital artery, and radial artery
Potential complications of L heart cath: - Answers -Dysrhythmia
-perforation
-increased risk for emboli
ALWAYS do this test before a radial cath - Answers Allen's test