Imaging

Cardiac Catheterization

Drawbacks

Cardiac catheterization, unlike MRI and X-ray, is an invasive technique for the study of the heart. Potential complications may include death, strokes, allergic reactions, heart attacks, infection, kidney failure and bleeding. Studies have indicated a higher mortality rate in elderly females than in elderly males. Another drawback, besides the 2 to 3 hours of the procedure time, is 6 hours of immobility after the procedure.

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