What does the term "catheterization" refer to?

The term "catheterization" specifically refers to the process of inserting a catheter into a blood vessel for various medical purposes. This procedure is essential in many diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, particularly in interventional radiology and cardiology. Catheters can be used to deliver medications, fluids, or to obtain samples, and are integral in procedures such as angiography, where imaging of blood vessels is performed.

While other choices describe important medical procedures, they do not encompass the full definition of catheterization. For instance, although detecting blood clots and imaging the heart may involve catheters, they represent specific applications rather than the broad definition of catheterization itself. Similarly, measuring blood pressure can be associated with catheter use, but it does not define the act of catheterization. Thus, option A accurately captures the essence of what catheterization entails in a medical context.