Name of the Procedure:

Right Heart Catheterization
(Also known as Right Cardiac Catheterization or Right-Sided Heart Cath)

Summary

Right heart catheterization is a medical procedure used to examine the function and structure of the right side of the heart, particularly to diagnose and assess congenital heart anomalies. In this procedure, a thin, flexible tube called a catheter is inserted into a vein and guided to the right side of the heart to measure pressures and oxygen levels.

Purpose

The procedure addresses various congenital heart conditions to:

• Diagnose congenital cardiac anomalies.
• Evaluate the severity of these anomalies.
• Monitor and guide therapeutic interventions.
• Assess the effectiveness of treatments and surgery.

Indications

• Suspected congenital heart defects.
• Unexplained shortness of breath.
• Cyanosis (bluish skin coloration due to low oxygen levels).
• Abnormal results from other heart tests (e.g., echocardiogram).
• Monitoring heart status in patients with known congenital heart defects.

Preparation

• Fasting for at least 6-8 hours before the procedure.
• Stopping certain medications as advised by the physician.
• Undergoing pre-procedure assessments, such as blood tests, chest X-rays, and EKGs.

Procedure Description

1. The patient will lie on an examination table, and an intravenous (IV) line will be started.
2. Local anesthesia is applied to numb the insertion site (typically in the groin, neck, or arm).
3. A catheter is inserted into the vein and carefully guided to the right chambers of the heart using fluoroscopy (X-ray visualization).
4. Various measurements and pressures within the heart, as well as blood samples, are taken.
5. The catheter is removed, and the insertion site is bandaged.

Duration

The procedure typically takes between 30 minutes to 2 hours.

Setting

Performed in a hospital's cardiac catheterization lab (cath lab) or an outpatient clinic equipped with necessary imaging technology.

Personnel

• Cardiologist specializing in congenital heart disease.
• Nurses and technicians.
• Anesthesiologist or sedation nurse (if sedation is required).

Risks and Complications

• Common risks: Bruising or bleeding at the catheter site, infection.
• Rare risks: Heart arrhythmias, blood clots, vein injury, allergic reaction to contrast dye, and pneumothorax (collapsed lung).

Benefits

• Accurate diagnosis and assessment of congenital heart defects.
• Detailed information to guide treatment plans.
• Improved management and outcomes for patients with congenital heart anomalies.

Recovery

• Post-procedure monitoring in a recovery area for a few hours.
• Instructions to avoid strenuous activities for a few days.
• Keeping the catheter site clean and dry.
• Follow-up appointments to discuss results and next steps.

Alternatives

• Non-invasive imaging studies like echocardiogram or cardiac MRI.
• While less risky, these alternatives may not offer the same level of detailed information available from right heart catheterization.

Patient Experience

• Patients may feel pressure at the catheter insertion site.
• Sedation may be used to ensure comfort.
• Post-procedure, mild discomfort at the site is possible but usually manageable with over-the-counter pain relief.
• Most patients can return home the same day with minimal restrictions on daily activities.