Cardiac catheter, United States, 1950-1970
Click the thumbnails to enlarge
This catheter is designed to be inserted into the aorta and chambers of the heart by passing it through a vein or artery either in the arm or groin. This procedure can be carried out during an investigation into a possible heart problem or as part of the subsequent treatment. Once situated in the heart it can, for example, be used to measure the pressure of the heart chambers or remove blood samples. The catheter can also be used to inject dye into the arteries and heart when taking an X-ray in order to give the physician a more detailed picture of the heart. This can help in diagnosing heart conditions.
Object number:
A600966
Related Themes and Topics
Glossary:
Glossary: cardiac catheter
A catheter that can be passed into the heart through a vein or artery, to withdraw samples of blood, measure pressures within the heart's chambers or great vessels, and inject contrast media
Glossary: x-ray photograph
An internal image of the body that is produced by exposing a photographic plate to X-rays.
Glossary: catheter
A flexible tube, narrow enough to be inserted into the body, where it is used for withdrawing fluids. Most typically used for extracting urine from the bladder.