Cardiac Cath 4

Cardiac Catheterization Procedure

Through the sheath, and over the guide-wire, a long soft plastic tube or catheter is inserted and guided towards the heart. An x-ray monitor is used to observe the path of the catheter. Different catheter shapes are used during the procedure.

Working from the groin, the cardiologist rotates and gently manipulates the catheter to guide its tip into the opening of the coronary artery. X-ray movies are then taken during the injection of contrast material. Contrast material, or dye, is injected through the catheter and x-ray pictures are recorded on a movie film. The cardiologists steps on floor pedals to view x-ray images (fluoroscopy) or to film (cine angiograms) portions of the study.

A rotating handle sits on the side of the table. By rotating the handle and pressing on levers, the cardiologist can rotate the x-ray camera around the patient’s chest. The camera can be moved from left to right, towards and away from the patient's head, and up and down over the chest. This allows different views or rotations of the coronary arteries to be seen and filmed.

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