Name of the Procedure:

Selective Right Ventricular or Right Atrial Angiography during Cardiac Catheterization (Injection Procedure)

Summary

This procedure involves injecting contrast dye into the right ventricle or right atrium of the heart to produce detailed images. It's performed alongside cardiac catheterization to evaluate heart conditions. The process includes imaging supervision, interpretation, and a detailed report.

Purpose

The primary aim is to diagnose and evaluate abnormalities or diseases in the heart's right chambers.

• Medical Condition Addressed: Heart conditions that affect the right ventricle or right atrium.
• Goals: To obtain precise images of heart chambers for diagnosis, treatment planning, or evaluating the effectiveness of ongoing treatments.

Indications

• Symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, or abnormal heart rhythms.
• Congenital heart defects.
• Pulmonary hypertension.
• Suspected heart failure specific to right heart chambers.

Preparation

• Fasting: Patients may need to fast for several hours before the procedure.
• Medication Adjustments: Instructions on holding or continuing certain medications as advised by the doctor.
• Pre-procedure Assessments: Electrocardiogram (ECG), blood tests, and imaging studies may be performed.

Procedure Description

1. Sedation/Anesthesia: Local anesthesia is applied at the catheter insertion site. Sedatives may be given for patient comfort.
2. Insertion: A catheter is introduced through a blood vessel in the groin, arm, or neck and guided to the heart.
3. Injection: Contrast dye is injected into the right ventricle or right atrium.
4. Imaging: Real-time X-ray imaging captures detailed images.
5. Supervision and Interpretation: Specialists supervise, interpret the images, and generate a report.

Duration

Typically takes about 1 to 2 hours.

Setting

Performed in a hospital's catheterization laboratory (cath lab).

Personnel

• Cardiologist or Interventional Cardiologist.
• Radiologist.
• Nurses and possible anesthesiologist.

Risks and Complications

• Common: Bruising or bleeding at the insertion site.
• Rare: Allergic reaction to contrast dye, infection, arrhythmias, blood vessel damage, or heart attack.

Benefits

• Provides detailed and accurate images of the heart's right chambers.
• Assists in diagnosis and treatment planning.
• Helps monitor treatment effectiveness.

Recovery

• Post-procedure Care: Monitoring in a recovery room.
• Instructions: Avoid strenuous activities and follow specific care instructions for the catheter insertion site.
• Recovery Time: Typically a few hours to a day, depending on the patient's condition.
• Follow-up: Appointments for further evaluation or additional treatments as necessary.

Alternatives

• Non-invasive imaging: MRI or CT scans.
• Pros and Cons: These may involve less risk but might not provide as detailed images as angiography during catheterization.

Patient Experience

• During the Procedure: Minimal discomfort from catheter insertion; sedation helps keep the patient relaxed.
• After the Procedure: Some soreness at the insertion site; pain management as needed.
• Comfort Measures: Medications to manage pain and anxiety are available throughout the procedure.