What procedure involves passing a catheter into an artery to reach the heart for various measurements?

The procedure that involves passing a catheter into an artery to access the heart for various measurements is cardiac catheterization. This procedure allows healthcare professionals to diagnose and treat certain cardiovascular conditions. During cardiac catheterization, a thin, flexible tube (catheter) is inserted into a blood vessel, usually in the groin or wrist, and is guided through the vascular system to the heart.

This technique enables clinicians to measure pressures within the heart chambers, assess blood flow through the coronary arteries, and even perform interventions such as angioplasty or stent placements if blockages are found. The information gathered through this procedure is crucial for evaluating heart health and determining appropriate treatment plans for patients with heart disease.

The other options, such as blood gas analysis, focus on measuring the levels of gases in the blood for respiratory or metabolic evaluation, the Brunnstrom approach is a technique used in rehabilitation for stroke patients, and bursitis refers to inflammation of the bursa, typically not involving catheterization or measurements related to heart function.