Right heart catheterization
Right Heart Catheterization
Right heart catheterization (pronunciation: rait hahrt kath-i-ter-i-ZEY-shuhn) is a medical procedure used to diagnose and treat certain conditions affecting the heart and lungs.
Etymology
The term "catheterization" is derived from the Greek word "katheter" which means "to let or send down." It refers to the process of inserting a thin, flexible tube (a catheter) into a large blood vessel that leads to your heart.
Procedure
During a right heart catheterization, a long, thin tube called a catheter is inserted into a vein in the neck, arm, or groin and guided to the right side of the heart. Through this catheter, doctors can perform diagnostic tests and treatments on the heart.
Uses
Right heart catheterization is used to diagnose and manage a variety of heart conditions, including congenital heart disease, heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and cardiomyopathy. It can also be used to measure the pressure in the heart and lungs, and to take blood samples for testing.
Risks
As with any medical procedure, right heart catheterization carries some risks. These may include bleeding, infection, damage to the blood vessels, irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias), and, in rare cases, heart attack or stroke.
Related Terms
- Cardiac catheterization: A general term for procedures that involve using a catheter to access the heart.
- Left heart catheterization: A similar procedure to right heart catheterization, but the catheter is guided to the left side of the heart.
- Pulmonary artery catheterization: A procedure in which a catheter is inserted into a pulmonary artery.
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