Pulmonary Artery Catheterization Essay
Pulmonary Artery Catheterization
Pulmonary artery catheterization is a procedure that is done to test blood movement through the heart and to monitor the heart's function. In this procedure, a thin, flexible tube (catheter) is passed into the right side of the heart and into the main artery that carries blood from your heart to your lungs (pulmonary artery). The procedure may be done to evaluate or help diagnose various problems, such as:
• Heart failure.
• Shock.
• Leaky heart valves (valvular regurgitation).
• Congenital heart disease.
• Burns.
• Kidney disease.
• High blood pressure within the arteries in the lungs (pulmonary hypertension).
• A buildup of fluid around the heart that prevents the heart from functioning …show more content…
These medicines can thin your blood. Do not take these medicines before your procedure if your health care provider instructs you not to.
• Plan to have someone take you home after the procedure.
PROCEDURE
• An IV tube will be inserted into one of your veins.
• You may be given a medicine that helps you relax (sedative).
• The area of your body chosen for insertion of the catheter will be cleaned. This is usually the neck or groin, but it is sometimes done in another area.
○ You will be given a medicine that numbs this area (local anesthetic).
○ A small incision will be made in a vein in this area.
• A catheter will be inserted through the incision and into the vein. The health care provider will carefully move the catheter into the upper chamber of the heart (right atrium). X-rays are sometimes used to help guide the catheter to the right place.
• The catheter will be threaded through two heart valves (tricuspid and pulmonary valve) and placed into the pulmonary artery. Once the catheter is in place, the blood pressure in the pulmonary artery will be measured.
• During the procedure, your heart's rhythm will be constantly watched using an electrocardiogram (ECG).
• The catheter will be removed when tests and monitoring are
Pulmonary artery catheterization is a procedure that is done to test blood movement through the heart and to monitor the heart's function. In this procedure, a thin, flexible tube (catheter) is passed into the right side of the heart and into the main artery that carries blood from your heart to your lungs (pulmonary artery). The procedure may be done to evaluate or help diagnose various problems, such as:
• Heart failure.
• Shock.
• Leaky heart valves (valvular regurgitation).
• Congenital heart disease.
• Burns.
• Kidney disease.
• High blood pressure within the arteries in the lungs (pulmonary hypertension).
• A buildup of fluid around the heart that prevents the heart from functioning …show more content…
These medicines can thin your blood. Do not take these medicines before your procedure if your health care provider instructs you not to.
• Plan to have someone take you home after the procedure.
PROCEDURE
• An IV tube will be inserted into one of your veins.
• You may be given a medicine that helps you relax (sedative).
• The area of your body chosen for insertion of the catheter will be cleaned. This is usually the neck or groin, but it is sometimes done in another area.
○ You will be given a medicine that numbs this area (local anesthetic).
○ A small incision will be made in a vein in this area.
• A catheter will be inserted through the incision and into the vein. The health care provider will carefully move the catheter into the upper chamber of the heart (right atrium). X-rays are sometimes used to help guide the catheter to the right place.
• The catheter will be threaded through two heart valves (tricuspid and pulmonary valve) and placed into the pulmonary artery. Once the catheter is in place, the blood pressure in the pulmonary artery will be measured.
• During the procedure, your heart's rhythm will be constantly watched using an electrocardiogram (ECG).
• The catheter will be removed when tests and monitoring are