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…
normally (cardiac tamponade).
• A disease that causes heart muscle to become rigid (restrictive cardiomyopathy).
• Abnormal blood flow between two areas of the heart (shunt).
After a heart attack, this procedure may be used to monitor for further problems and to see if medicines are working.
The procedure may be done in a cardiac catheterization lab or in an intensive care unit (ICU).
LET YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER KNOW ABOUT:
• Any allergies you have.
• All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
• Previous problems you or members of your family have had with the use of anesthetics.
• Any blood disorders you have.
• Previous surgeries you have had.
• Any medical conditions you may have.
RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS
Generally, this is a safe procedure. However, problems may occur, including:
• Bruising or bleeding at the catheter insertion site.
• Injury to the vein where the catheter was inserted.
• Puncture to the lung. This is a risk if neck or chest veins are used.
The following problems may also occur, but they are very rare:
• Abnormal heart rhythms.
• Low blood pressure.
• Infection.
• Cardiac tamponade.
• Blocked blood vessel caused by a blood clot or foreign material circulating in the blood (embolism). This can be caused by blood clots at the tip of the catheter.
BEFORE THE PROCEDURE
• Follow your health care provider’s instructions about eating or drinking restrictions.
• Ask your health care provider about:
○ Changing or stopping your regular medicines. This is especially important if you are taking diabetes medicines or blood thinners.
○ Taking medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen.
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
done.
AFTER THE PROCEDURE
• Your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and blood oxygen level will be monitored often until the medicines you were given have worn off.