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What is an angiogram or diagnostic catheterization?

An angiogram or diagnostic catheterization is a special test that your heart doctor may request to visualize the heart and blood vessels in the lung. This test requires access to a major blood vessel and uses catheters to inject dye that allows the doctors to see the heart and blood vessels. The test involves radiation.

This test is also known as a cath.

Why use an angiogram to image the pulmonary veins?

An angiogram can image the pulmonary veins  and is common clinical test used to understand the severity of the stenosis and identify which veins are involved.  It can also provide information about the pressures in the right side of the heart and the pressures in the pulmonary veins and arteries.

​Heart catheterization can also be used to then treat pulmonary vein stenosis, either with balloon dilations or placement of stents [ link to treatment options].

Things to know about an angiogram/diagnostic catheterization

An angiogram is an invasive test, as catheters go into blood vessels and also the heart. Your child will need to be sedated for the procedure. There is also radiation associated with this test.

Treating PVS: Balloons and Stents

In addition to diagnostic catheterization, caths can be used to treat PVS. Balloon dilation or placement of different types of stents can be used to try to open up the areas of stenosis. These are talked about more in the section addressing how to treat PVS.

Heart Catheterization

  • A cath visualizes the pulmonary vascular anatomy and can measure pressures in the vessels and heart.
  • This is an invasive test that requires sedation and exposes your child to radiation
  • This test can be used to also treat PVS but using balloons to dilate or stents to open up vessels

Always talk with your care provider about what tests are good for your child

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  • Home
    • About PVS Network
    • Participating institutions
    • Creating Hope
  • Parents
    • About PVS
    • Clinical tests >
      • Echocardiography
      • CT Scan
      • MRI Scan
      • Heart catheterization
      • Lung perfusion scan
    • Treatment options >
      • Surgery
      • Catheter based intervention
      • Medical therapy
      • Lung transplant
      • Palliative care
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Links
  • Clinicians
    • PVS: outcomes and pathophysiology
    • Clinical Care for Children with PVS >
      • Treatment options >
        • Surgical Options
        • Catheter based interventions
        • Medical therapies
        • Transplantation
        • Palliative Care
      • Surveillance imaging
    • Clinical Scenarios: tough decisions
    • Clinical Trials and Research
  • Research
    • PVS Network Registry >
      • PVS Registry Image Guide
      • PVS data collection forms 2017
    • PVS Clinical Research
    • Recently Published
  • Contact Us
    • Ways to Donate
    • Links to Related Sites
    • Newsletters
  • PVS Awareness
    • T- shirt Campaign
    • Knowledge is Hope
    • TEAM PVS!
    • Resolution
    • Superhero
    • Donate Life Month
    • Supermom
    • Sibling
    • PVS Aware