What is Pulmonary Artery Catheterization

Pulmonary artery catheterization is a procedure used 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 used during heart or blood vessel surgery, during cardiac catheterization procedures, or to monitor serious conditions in the intensive care unit.

Tell a health care provider about:

• Any allergies you have.
• All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
• Any problems you or family members have had with anesthetic medicines.
• Any blood disorders you have.
• Any surgeries you have had.
• Any medical conditions you have.
• Whether you are pregnant or may be pregnant.

What are the risks?

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.
• Lung puncture. This is a risk if neck or chest veins are used.
• Infection.

The following problems may also occur, but they are rare:

• Abnormal heart rhythms.
• Low blood pressure.
• Fluid buildup around the heart.
• Blocked blood vessel caused by a blood clot (embolism).

What happens before the procedure?

Medicines

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 unless your health care provider tells you to take them.
• Taking over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbs, and supplements.

General instructions

• Follow instructions from your health care provider about eating or drinking restrictions.
• Plan to have someone take you home from the hospital or clinic.
• Ask your health care provider what steps will be taken to help prevent infection. These may include:
  • Removing hair at the surgery site.
  • Washing skin with a germ-killing soap.
  • Antibiotic medicine.

What happens during the procedure?

• An IV will be inserted into one of your veins.
• You will be given one or both of the following:
  • A medicine to help you relax (sedative).
  • A medicine to numb the area (local anesthetic).
• A small incision will be made in a vein in the insertion 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 may be used to help guide the catheter to the right place.
• The catheter will be threaded through two heart valves (tricuspid valve and pulmonary valve) and placed into the pulmonary artery.
• Blood pressure in the pulmonary artery will be measured as soon as the catheter is in place.
• During the procedure, your heart’s rhythm will be watched constantly using an electrocardiogram (ECG).
• The catheter will be removed after tests and monitoring have been completed.

The procedure may vary among health care providers and hospitals.

What happens after the procedure?

• Your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and blood oxygen level will be monitored until you leave the hospital or clinic.

Summary

• Pulmonary artery catheterization is a procedure that is used to test blood movement through the heart and to monitor the heart’s function.
• The procedure may be used during heart or blood vessel surgery, during cardiac catheterization procedures, or to monitor serious conditions in the intensive care unit.
• 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).