When you think of cardiovascular disease, you might think of coronary artery disease – or narrowing of the arteries that lead to the heart. However, coronary artery disease is just one type of cardiovascular disease.
There are many types of heart disease, such as valve disease, arrhythmias, thoracic aortic aneurysms, and others that can affect the structures or function of the heart and blood vessels. Thoracic conditions, such as Achalasia and GERD affect related organs, such as the lungs and esophagus.
In addition to conditions affecting the heart and chest, Aiman Hamdan, MD, FACC, FSCAI – Cardiologist also treats your vascular system with expertise in abdominal aortic aneurysms, carotid artery disease, venous disease, and others.
View our full list of heart, vascular and thoracic topics below. To assist you with your search, conditions are grouped together in topics noted above.
Cardiac Catheterization
Cardiac catheterization is an invasive procedure performed to diagnose and treat cardiovascular conditions. During a cardiac catheterization, a catheter (long thin flexible tube) is inserted in an arteryor vein in your groin or arm and guided through the blood vessels to your heart. The procedure allows the cardiologist to see how well your heart is pumping and examine the coronary arteries and heart valves. A cardiac catheterization helps the cardiologist determine your best treatment options. If a signaficant blockage is found during the procedure, other treatments such as balloon angioplasty or stenting can be performed
Why is this test done?
Reasons your doctor may want to do this test are: abnormal heart beat, abnormal stress test, chest pain, shortness of breath, heart murmurs or blocked vessels. This test will check how well your heart pumps, look for blockages, and will check the heart valves.
What happens during the test?
Once in the procedure room, you will be placed on an x-ray table. The site where the procedure will be performed (either arm or groin) will be cleansed and the cardiologist will numb the area before inserting the sheath into the artery or vein. Once the sheath is in place, catheters will pass through the sheath and into your heart. X-ray dye will be injected through the catheters so the cardiologist can obtain pictures of your heart arteries and check the pumping function of your heart. Injection of the dye may cause you to feel warm, which is normal.
Certain medications can affect your outcomes.
Please discuss all medications (including vitamins and/or dietary supplements) with your health care provider prior to having a cardiac catheterization procedure.
Treatment Options
If coronary artery disease is diagnosed during the test the one or more of the following treatments may be recommended:
Lifestyle management
Medications
Angioplasty
Stent
Heart Bypass Surgery