Basics of hemodynamic evaluation

Basics of hemodynamic evaluation Though invasive hemodynamic evaluation was pushed to the backstage with the development of Doppler echocardiography, it is again coming to centre stage with newer therapeutic options being available in pulmonary hypertension and heart failure. A basic knowledge of the principles of hemodynamic evaluation is essential to understand cardiac physiology. Hemodynamic evaluation usually includes both right and left heart catheterization, though in some cases only one may be done. While writing a report of hemodynamic evaluation, it is customary to note the catheter course as it gives valuable complementary information. Catheter course in a simple right heart study may be written as: Right femoral vein to inferior vena cava, to right atrium and right ventricle and then to pulmonary artery. Superior vena cava may be entered either during the initial part or at the end after returning from the pulmonary artery. When pulmonary artery wedge pressure measurement is needed, an end hole catheter like Cournand has to be taken. But Cournand catheter needs frequent flushing as it can get blocked easily. Usual routine during catheterization is that which ever chamber you reach, check the pressures, record tracing if possible and measure oxygen saturation. Earlier, in-cathlab hemoximeters were routinely used to measure oxygen saturations. But now samples withdrawn are often analysed using blood gas analyzers. Though blood gas analyzers give more information, the...
Source: Cardiophile MD - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: General Cardiology Source Type: blogs