Right heart catheterization involves the passage of a catheter into the right side of the heart to obtain diagnostic information about the heart and to provide continuous monitoring of heart function in critically ill patients.

The procedure is performed for the following reasons:

• To evaluate circulatory volume under the following conditions:

•  
  • Heart failure
  • Pulmonary hypertension
  • Acute valvular regurgitation
  • Congenital heart disease
  • Burns
  • Renal disease

• To monitor for complications of acute myocardial infarction
• To monitor the effects of certain cardiovascular drugs
• It can be used to detect abnormal blood flow between two usually unconnected areas (shunt).  Conditions that can also be diagnosed or evaluated with a catheter include previously mentioned pulmonary hypertension, cardiac tamponade, and restrictive cardiomyopathy.

The test can be performed at the bedside in an intensive care unit or in a special procedure area such as a cardiac catheterization laboratory. A mild sedative is sometimes given before the procedure.

A trained physician inserts the catheter into the right side of the heart through a large vein.  Typically, a vein in the right side of the neck is used.  However, the left side of the neck, either side of the groin, and other sites can be used.

Before inserting the catheter, the area that is used will be cleaned with sterile soap, injected with local anesthesia and an intravenous catheter (IV) will be placed using a needle.  The catheter is inserted through the IV then into the vein.

The catheter enters the right atrium (upper chamber) of the heart, flows through the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle (lower chamber), through the pulmonary valve, and into the pulmonary artery.  Measurements of the pressures in the pulmonary artery can be used to indirectly measure the function of the left ventricle.

The position of the catheter within the heart is confirmed by a chest x-ray or by fluoroscopy during the procedure and by monitoring devices that also read the pressures within the heart. During the procedure, the heart’s rhythm is monitored continuously by electrocardiogram (ECG).

Patients should not consume any food or fluid for 8 hours prior to the procedure.  Patients may need to be admitted to the hospital the night before the procedure, or admitted as an outpatient or inpatient the morning of the procedure, if the procedure is elective. In critically ill patients, the test may be carried out in the intensive care unit.

A signed and witnessed consent is required for the procedure. A health care provider will explain the procedure as well as its risks. A mild sedative is usually given 30 minutes before the procedure. You should arrange assistance for transportation.

Although you will receive sedation to relax you prior to the procedure, you will be awake and able to follow instructions during the test. You will remain on a stretcher or bed for the duration of the test. An insertion is made into a vein for threading the catheter in to the heart. Local anesthesia is given to insert the catheter, and the only sensation is one of pressure at the site.

You may experience some discomfort due to lying still for a prolonged period of time. The procedure may last up to 1 hour, and in cortically ill patients, the catheter may remain in place for several days for monitoring.

The main risks of the procedure are bruising at the access site, trauma to the vein, and lung puncture if the neck or chest veins are used.  Very rarely patients may suffer cardiac arrhythmias, cardiac tamponade, low blood pressure, infection or embolism caused by blood clots at the tip of the catheter.

The results will be explained to you by your physician at the duration of the procedure.

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