Which of the following is an indication for cardiac catheterization?

Which of the following is an indication for cardiac catheterization?

• A. To identify and determine the extent of CAD
• B. To screen for skin cancer
• C. To perform liver biopsy
• D. To measure bone density

Answer: (A)

Cardiac catheterization is used when we need direct visualization of the coronary arteries and precise hemodynamic information to diagnose and gauge the severity of coronary artery disease. By performing coronary angiography, we can see where blockages are, how severe they are, and where they are located, which directly informs decisions about revascularization or medical management. This makes identifying and determining the extent of CAD the primary indication for the procedure. The other options don’t relate to the heart’s vasculature: screening for skin cancer, performing a liver biopsy, or measuring bone density are not procedures used to evaluate coronary disease. In practice, this test is chosen when noninvasive results are inconclusive or when planning interventions like angioplasty or bypass surgery.

Cardiac catheterization is used when we need direct visualization of the coronary arteries and precise hemodynamic information to diagnose and gauge the severity of coronary artery disease. By performing coronary angiography, we can see where blockages are, how severe they are, and where they are located, which directly informs decisions about revascularization or medical management. This makes identifying and determining the extent of CAD the primary indication for the procedure. The other options don’t relate to the heart’s vasculature: screening for skin cancer, performing a liver biopsy, or measuring bone density are not procedures used to evaluate coronary disease. In practice, this test is chosen when noninvasive results are inconclusive or when planning interventions like angioplasty or bypass surgery.