Cardiac catheterization for mitral valve stenosis
Your doctor probably will not recommend a cardiac catheterization to diagnose mitral valve stenosis. The test is invasive and carries some risks. An echocardiogram is usually sufficient.
However, your doctor may use cardiac catheterization to:
- Diagnose mitral valve stenosis when an echocardiogram and other clinical evidence do not clearly establish whether you have the condition.
- Evaluate the severity of your mitral valve stenosis before deciding between valve replacement surgery or a valve repair commissurotomy.
- Evaluate your coronary arteries before valve replacement surgery if you have or are at risk for coronary artery disease (CAD).
| Author: | Robin Parks, MS | Last Updated: March 18, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology | |
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