What does a left heart catheterization primarily evaluate?

A left heart catheterization primarily evaluates heart function and blood flow within the left side of the heart, which includes the left atrium, left ventricle, and the aorta. During this procedure, a catheter is inserted into the left side to measure pressures, assess the left ventricle's pumping capacity, and visualize the coronary arteries through the use of contrast dye. This allows for the detection of ischemic heart disease, coronary artery blockages, and overall cardiac function.

Additionally, while it can provide information related to cardiac valve disease, the primary focus of left heart catheterization is more on assessing the functionality and capacities of the heart and coronary arteries rather than exclusively on valve pathology. Cardiac tumors and heart defects are typically evaluated through other imaging modalities, such as echocardiography or MRI, rather than left heart catheterization, which is more suited for hemodynamic assessment and coronary evaluation. Thus, the correct choice reflects the comprehensive evaluation of heart function that the procedure is designed to provide.