Which test provides direct visualization of coronary anatomy?

Which test provides direct visualization of coronary anatomy?

• A. Electrocardiogram
• B. Cardiac catheterization
• C. Stress testing
• D. Echocardiography

Answer: (B)

Direct visualization of the coronary arteries requires imaging the vessels themselves. This is achieved with cardiac catheterization and coronary angiography, where a catheter is guided to the coronary ostia and iodinated contrast is injected to outline the arterial lumens on fluoroscopy. This allows you to see stenosis, occlusions, or anomalies in the coronary arteries. The other tests do not image the arteries directly: an electrocardiogram records electrical activity; stress testing assesses functional response or perfusion without revealing anatomy; echocardiography uses ultrasound to view heart chambers and valves, not the coronary vessel lumens.

Direct visualization of the coronary arteries requires imaging the vessels themselves. This is achieved with cardiac catheterization and coronary angiography, where a catheter is guided to the coronary ostia and iodinated contrast is injected to outline the arterial lumens on fluoroscopy. This allows you to see stenosis, occlusions, or anomalies in the coronary arteries. The other tests do not image the arteries directly: an electrocardiogram records electrical activity; stress testing assesses functional response or perfusion without revealing anatomy; echocardiography uses ultrasound to view heart chambers and valves, not the coronary vessel lumens.