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.
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].
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