Recommendations for performing right heart catheterization in pulmonary hypertension

Joint document of the Argentinian Federation of Cardiology and the Argentinian Society of Cardiology

Abstract

Table of contents:

1. Introduction.

2. Definition and hemodynamic classification of pulmonary hypertension.

a. Hemodynamic definition of pulmonary hypertension

b. Exercise-induced pulmonary hypertension

c. Hemodynamic classification of pulmonary hypertension

3. Role of right heart catheterization for the diagnosis and monitoring of pulmonary hypertension.

a. Cardiac catheterization for diagnosis in patients with suspicion of pulmonary hypertension

b. Cardiac catheterization in monitoring pulmonary hypertension patients

4. Preparation of patients, technique and potential complications of the procedure.

a. Site of performance

b. Staff required

c. Equipment

d. Preparation of patients

e. Procedure

f. Puncture guided by echography

g. Venous accesses

h. Complications

i. Aspects to be highlighted

5. Measurement of pressures and determination of cardiac output. Hemodynamic variables.

6. Acute vasoreactivity test and fluid overload testing.

a. Acute vasoreactivity test

b. Fluid overload testing

7. Hemodynamic assessment in pulmonary hypertension associated to congenital heart disease.

a. Eisenmenger syndrome

b. Pulmonary hypertension associated to left-to-right shunt

c. Pulmonary hypertension with small/matching congenital heart defect

d. Postoperative pulmonary hypertension

8. Pulmonary angiography in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.