Is cardiac catheterization (cardiac cath) the same as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)?

From the Guidelines

No, cardiac catheterization and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are not the same, though they are related procedures. Cardiac catheterization is a diagnostic procedure where a thin, flexible tube called a catheter is inserted into a blood vessel and guided to the heart to diagnose heart conditions, as defined by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association task force on clinical data standards 1. It allows doctors to measure pressures within heart chambers, collect blood samples, inject contrast dye for imaging, and assess coronary artery blockages. PCI, on the other hand, is a therapeutic procedure that typically follows cardiac catheterization when blockages are found. During PCI, specialized catheters are used to treat the blockages through techniques like balloon angioplasty (inflating a small balloon to widen the artery) and stent placement (inserting a mesh tube to keep the artery open). The timing and urgency of PCI procedures can vary, with classifications including elective, urgent, and emergency, as outlined in the NCDR CathPCI Registry Coder’s Data Dictionary v5.0 1. While cardiac catheterization is primarily diagnostic, PCI is interventional and aims to restore blood flow in narrowed or blocked coronary arteries. Both procedures use similar access techniques, but serve different purposes in cardiac care. The distinction between these procedures is crucial for understanding treatment options for coronary artery disease, as discussed in guidelines on myocardial revascularization 1.

Some key points to consider include:

• The definition and classification of PCI procedures, as outlined in the NCDR CathPCI Registry Coder’s Data Dictionary v5.0 1
• The differences in purpose and technique between cardiac catheterization and PCI
• The importance of understanding the timing and urgency of PCI procedures, including elective, urgent, and emergency classifications 1
• The role of PCI in the treatment of coronary artery disease, as discussed in guidelines on myocardial revascularization 1

From the Research

Cardiac Catheterization vs Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

• Cardiac catheterization and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are two related but distinct medical procedures.
• Cardiac catheterization is a diagnostic procedure that involves inserting a catheter into an artery in the leg or arm and guiding it to the heart to diagnose and treat certain heart conditions 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
• Percutaneous coronary intervention, on the other hand, is a minimally invasive procedure used to open up blocked coronary arteries, often performed during a cardiac catheterization procedure 2, 3, 4, 5.
• While cardiac catheterization is primarily used for diagnostic purposes, PCI is a therapeutic procedure aimed at restoring blood flow to the heart muscle 6.

Key Differences

• The primary difference between cardiac catheterization and PCI is their purpose: diagnosis vs treatment.
• Cardiac catheterization can be used to diagnose a range of heart conditions, including coronary artery disease, while PCI is specifically used to treat blocked coronary arteries 2, 3, 4, 5.
• The procedures may involve different techniques and instruments, with PCI often requiring the use of balloons, stents, or other devices to open up blocked arteries 3, 5.

Relationship Between Procedures

• Cardiac catheterization is often a prerequisite for PCI, as it allows doctors to visualize the coronary arteries and identify blockages 2, 3, 4, 5.
• In some cases, cardiac catheterization may be performed as a standalone procedure to diagnose heart conditions, while in other cases, it may be followed by PCI to treat any identified blockages 6.