While clearly not indicated in our patient, cardiac catheterization is a commonly used invasive technique that more precisely defines cardiac physiology and anatomy. A catheter is introduced into the central circulation to assess the structure and function of the cardiac chambers, great vessels, and coronary arteries. Pressures and oxygen saturations are measured and radiopaque dye may be injected to obtain X rays and cineangiograms of the heart, great vessels, and coronary arteries. The technique is also used for special diagnostic and therapeutic procedures such as electrophysiologic studies and coronary angioplasty.
LV angiogram diagram
To help understand the following left ventriculogram from a normal patient, a diagram of the left heart is shown in the right anterior oblique view. The left atrium, left ventricle, and aorta are labeled. The tip of the pigtail catheter is positioned in the left ventricle. The motion of the left ventricle from diastole to systole is also indicated by the arrows.
LV angiogram
This is a still-frame of the left ventriculogram in the right anterior oblique view from a normal patient. It clearly shows the pigtail catheter in the left ventricle as well as the ascending and descending aorta. The locations of the left atrium, mitral and aortic valves are indicated by the appropriate labels. The real-time study that follows reveals excellent contractility of the left ventricle.