Which procedure involves inserting a catheter to access the coronary arteries for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes?

Which procedure involves inserting a catheter to access the coronary arteries for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes?

• A. Doppler ultrasonography
• B. Cardiac catheterization
• C. Radiography
• D. Electrocardiogram

Answer: (B)

Accessing the coronary arteries by inserting a catheter is done with cardiac catheterization. In this invasive procedure, a catheter is threaded through a peripheral artery (usually the femoral or radial artery) and guided into the heart and coronary arteries under fluoroscopic guidance. A contrast dye is injected so the arteries can be seen on imaging, allowing the clinician to diagnose blockages and measure pressures inside the heart. It also enables therapeutic interventions, like balloon angioplasty or stent placement, if needed. This directly involves accessing the coronary arteries with a catheter for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Doppler ultrasonography uses external ultrasound to measure blood flow and velocity, not catheter access to the coronary arteries. Radiography is standard X-ray imaging and, by itself, does not involve catheterization of the coronary arteries. An electrocardiogram records the heart’s electrical activity on the skin, with no catheter insertion.

Accessing the coronary arteries by inserting a catheter is done with cardiac catheterization. In this invasive procedure, a catheter is threaded through a peripheral artery (usually the femoral or radial artery) and guided into the heart and coronary arteries under fluoroscopic guidance. A contrast dye is injected so the arteries can be seen on imaging, allowing the clinician to diagnose blockages and measure pressures inside the heart. It also enables therapeutic interventions, like balloon angioplasty or stent placement, if needed. This directly involves accessing the coronary arteries with a catheter for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

Doppler ultrasonography uses external ultrasound to measure blood flow and velocity, not catheter access to the coronary arteries. Radiography is standard X-ray imaging and, by itself, does not involve catheterization of the coronary arteries. An electrocardiogram records the heart’s electrical activity on the skin, with no catheter insertion.