Cardiac Catherization

  My father has had two previous heart attacks.  His age is 67.  His physician now wants to do a cardiac catherization procedure.  He has already had the ballon catherization procedure.  We would like to know exactly what this procedure involves and what are the risks?  Is it the same as an arteriogram?
  Jan

[CCF Cardio MD - MTR]

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Dear Jan, thank you for your question.  A cardiac catheterization is the same procedure as an angiogram or an ateriogram.  Basically, catheters are inserted into an artery in the groin and are used to inject contrast dye into the coronary ateries to opacify them on an x-ray screen.  Blockages in the arteries can be assessed in this fashion and decisions can be made about how to treat the blockages.   If blockages are found, the treatments are either medications, balloon angioplasty, or bypass surgery (if extensive blockages are present).   A balloon angioplasty procedure is similar to a catheterization except balloons and other devices are inserted into the coronary arteries to "fix" blockages.  Often, a coronary stent is deployed after a balloon angioplasty to improve the blood flow and the long-term results.  For an accurate assessment of the risks and benefits of such procedures, you will have to speak with your father's cardiologist.
I hope you find this information useful.  Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only.  Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies. Please feel free to write back with additional questions.  Good luck.
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter.   The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.