Cardiac Catheterization

Pediatric Cardiac Catheterization: What to Expect

Cardiac catheterization is a procedure to diagnose or treat certain heart conditions. Thin, hollow plastic tubes called catheters are inserted into and carefully threaded through arteries and veins to reach the heart. From there, physicians can measure pressures and oxygen levels in different chambers of the heart. Depending on the reason for the procedure, certain types of interventions can be performed during a cath procedure, also.

The interventional cardiology team at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital’s Congenital Heart Center is the most comprehensive program in the region, offering catheterization-based procedures for unborn babies, infants, children and adolescents, as well as adults with congenital heart disease.

Interventional Cardiology Services provided at Mott include, but are not limited to:

Balloon valvuloplasty of the aortic and pulmonary valves
Balloon angioplasty for distal pulmonary artery narrowing (stenosis)
Angioplasty, including dilation and stent implantation, to open narrowed arteries and veins
Balloon atrial septostomy to improve mixing of oxygen-rich and oxygen-poor blood to ensure that the body's oxygen saturation remains in a safe range
Atrial septoplasty or septostomy
Pulmonary artery dilation and stent implantation
Device closure of patent ductus arteriosus, atrial septal defects, patent foramen ovale, ventricular septal defects, fontan fenestration
Percutaneous pulmonary valve replacement for the management of pulmonary regurgitation and conduit obstructions