Going into detail on what this term means and how it relates to health guidelines. This article may be incomplete.
Left heart catheterization is a procedure used to evaluate the functioning of the left side of the heart. During the procedure, a thin, flexible tube called a catheter is inserted into a blood vessel in the arm or leg and guided towards the heart. Once the catheter is in place, a special dye is injected, and X-ray images are taken to visualize the flow of blood through the coronary arteries and chambers of the heart.
Left heart catheterization helps healthcare providers assess various aspects of heart function, such as blood pressure within the heart, the pumping ability of the left ventricle, and the presence of any blockages in the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle. It is commonly used to diagnose conditions like coronary artery disease, heart failure, and heart valve disorders. Additionally, left heart catheterization can help determine the need for further interventions, such as angioplasty or stent placement to improve blood flow in the coronary arteries.
Overall, left heart catheterization is a valuable diagnostic tool that provides detailed information about the structure and function of the heart, helping healthcare providers make accurate diagnoses and develop appropriate treatment plans for patients with various heart conditions.