Right Heart Catheterization Study

What is Right Heart Catheterization?

A right heart catheterization study is performed to examine the status and condition of heart pumps and to evaluate the pressure in the lungs and heart.

Why is it performed?

This study is mainly used to diagnose or analyze conditions like heart failure, shock, congenital heart disease, heart valve disease, cardiomyopathy, pulmonary hypertension, heart transplant, etc.

How is it performed?

In a right-heart catheterization procedure, your physician or cardiologist utilizes a specialized catheter, a small hollow tube known as a pulmonary artery (PA) catheter, to navigate it to the right side of your heart. Subsequently, they guide the catheter into your pulmonary artery. During this process, your doctor monitors blood flow through your heart and assesses the pressures within your cardiac and pulmonary systems. The procedure allows for the determination of your cardiac output taht is the volume of blood your heart pumps per minute. All these measurements collectively help in the diagnosis of heart conditions and assist in determining the most perfect treatment plan for your specific needs.