Cardiac Catheterization
What is Cardiac Catheterization?
Cardiac catheterization is a procedure that checks your heart. A coronary angiogram can be used to examine the coronary arteries. Coronary catheterization checks:
- Blood flow in the coronary arteries
- Blood flow and blood pressure in the chambers of the heart
- How well the heart valves work
- How the wall of the heart moves
The congenital heart defect test is used to detect congenital heart defects in children. Coronary angiograms are used to diagnose coronary artery disease (atherosclerosis). Atherosclerosis is a disease in which fat and calcium deposits (plaques) narrow the coronary arteries. This test can help pinpoint the size and location of the plaque in your heart.

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is similar to coronary angiogram, but it is used to open up a narrowed coronary artery with special tools. The two common types of PCI are:
- Angioplasty with or without coronary stents
- Atherectomy
Results from a coronary angiogram help determine whether treatment with medicines, bypass surgery, or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), such as angioplasty, may be effective.
During cardiac catheterization, other tests can be performed to detect heart problems. With a ventriculogram, you can see how well blood flows through the left side of the heart. The heart valves and left ventricle wall are observed during the test. The Denver metro area is served by HMDODLLC cardiologists with years of experience performing cardiac catheterization in Westminster, Thornton, Broomfield, Brighton, and Longmont.
What is Atherosclerosis?
In arterial sclerosis, the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients from your heart to your body (arteries) become thick and stiff, restricting the flow of blood to the organs and tissues. Normally, the walls of your arteries are flexible and elastic, but they can harden over time, a condition called arterial hardening.
The terms are sometimes used interchangeably, but atherosclerosis is a type of arteriosclerosis. As a result of the buildup of fats, cholesterol, and other substances in and on the walls of your arteries (plaque), atherosclerosis can cause blood flow to become restricted.

Plaques can burst, triggering blood clots. Atherosclerosis affects arteries throughout the body, not just your heart. Preventing and treating atherosclerosis is possible.