title: Diagnostic cardiac catheterization. When is it appropriate?
abstract: Cardiac catheterization is a low-risk procedure that provides information on cardiac and coronary artery anatomy, hemodynamic parameters, and valvular function. Not all patients with cardiac symptoms need the procedure. Most patients should have noninvasive screening procedures before referral for diagnostic cardiac catheterization. Obviously, not all patients clearly meet strict criteria, and making decisions in "borderline" cases demands clinical judgment. The recommendations given here are a combination of ACC/AHA guidelines and standards defined in current literature.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of North Texas, Health Science Center, Fort Worth 76107-2699.
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Walder
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Schaller
mesh_terms: D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards*; D000075202:Contraindications; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000175:diagnosis; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D018579:Patient Selection; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000592:standards; D012306:Risk; D013673:Technology Assessment, Biomedical