What diagnostic procedure is primarily used for coronary artery disease?

• A. CT scan
• B. Cardiac catheterization
• C. Echocardiogram
• D. Stress test

Answer: (B)

Cardiac catheterization is the primary diagnostic procedure for assessing coronary artery disease because it provides direct visualization of the coronary arteries. During this procedure, a catheter is inserted through a blood vessel and guided to the coronary arteries. This allows for the measurement of pressures within the heart, evaluation of the heart's function, and most importantly, the assessment for any blockages or narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle.

Additionally, cardiac catheterization can be combined with angiography, where a contrast dye is injected into the coronary arteries to enhance imaging and clearly outline areas of blockage or stenosis. This level of detail is crucial for diagnosing the severity and extent of coronary artery disease, which aids in determining appropriate treatment options such as angioplasty or stenting.

Other procedures listed, while useful in various circumstances, do not provide the same level of direct information about coronary arteries. For example, a CT scan may help identify coronary artery disease, but it is less definitive compared to catheterization. An echocardiogram evaluates heart function but does not directly visualize coronary artery blockages. A stress test assesses the heart's performance under stress and can suggest coronary artery disease, but it is not as conclusive as cardiac catheterization. Overall, cardiac catheterization