The patient had shortness of breath and pain radiating down his left arm. An EKG showed abnormalities. To further define the etiology of the patient's symptoms, the cardiologist ordered cardiac catheterization, also called coronary

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Cardiac catheterization is also called coronary angiography. This procedure involves the insertion of a catheter into a blood vessel in the arm or leg and threading it up to the heart. Contrast dye is then injected into the coronary arteries, and X-rays are taken to visualize any blockages or narrowing in the vessels that could be causing the patient's symptoms. Venography is a test that uses contrast dye and X-rays to visualize the veins, phlebotomy is the removal of blood for testing, and thrombolysis is a procedure to dissolve blood clots. None of these options would be appropriate for further defining the etiology of the patient's symptoms in this case.

The Patient Had Shortness of Breath and Pain Radiating Down