Left heart catheterization
Key points
- Left heart catheterization is the passage of a catheter (a thin flexible tube) into the left side of the heart.
- You will be given a mild sedative prior to the test.
- Adults: Food and fluid is restricted for 6 to 8 hours before the test.
- The procedure takes place in a radiology department or cardiac diagnostic laboratory.
Alternative names
Catheterization - left heart
Definition
Left heart catheterization is the passage of a catheter (a thin flexible tube) into the left side of the heart. The procedure may be performed to obtain diagnostic information about the left side of the heart or to treat certain types of heart conditions.
The procedure can also be used to determine pressure and blood flow in the heart's chambers, to collect blood samples from the heart, and to examine the arteries of the heart by a type of X-ray called fluoroscopy.
How the test is performed
You will be given a mild sedative prior to the test. An intravenous (IV) catheter is started in your arm to allow medication to be administered during the procedure. A radiologist or cardiologist inserts the catheter through a small incision in the femoral or brachial artery after cleansing the site and numbing the site with a local anesthetic.
The catheter is then carefully threaded into your heart through the aorta and aortic valve and then into the left ventricle using X-ray images called fluoroscopy to guide the insertion. When the catheter is in place, dye is injected to allow the health care provider to visualize the structures and vessels within the heart.
How to prepare for the test
Adults:
Food and fluid is restricted for 6 to 8 hours before the test.
The procedure takes place in the hospital. Sometimes, admission the night before the test is required. Otherwise, admission as an outpatient or inpatient the morning of the procedure is required.
A health care provider must explain the procedure and its risks. You must sign a consent form for the procedure.
You are given a mild sedative 1/2 hour before the procedure. The procedure may last from 1 to several hours. You will wear hospital clothing.
Infants and children:
The physical and psychological preparation you can provide for this or any test or procedure depends on your child's age, interests, previous experience, and level of trust. For specific information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following topics as they correspond to your child's age:
- Infant test or procedure preparation (birth to 1 year)
- Toddler test or procedure preparation (1 to 3 years)
- Preschooler test or procedure preparation (3 to 6 years)
- Schoolage test or procedure preparation (6 to 12 years)
- Adolescent test or procedure preparation (12 to 18 years)
Written and revised by
David Cohen, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.