There are a few reasons that a person might have a right heart catheterization, and these include: (1) a person is having shortness of breath and the suspected cause is excessively high blood pressure in the lungs (also known as pulmonary hypertension); (2) a person is having shortness of breath with multiple health problems and the fluid volume status needs to be confirmed; or (3) a person has had an echocardiogram which reveals elevated blood pressures in the lungs and needs to be evaluated.

There is very little preparation for this procedure. You will likely be asked not to eat or drink for 8 to 12 hours prior to the procedure. Also, you will need to arrange to have someone drive you home after the procedure.

Prior to the beginning of the procedure, you will be given a sedative which will make you feel relaxed and drowsy. However, you will still be able to be awoken if necessary. Then, the area where the catheter will be inserted is numbed with a local anesthetic. Then, the catheter is inserted and the procedure is performed.

Complications from this procedure are rare, and the risk of death is very low. Possible risks include: (1) allergic reaction to the dye which can be treated with medicine; (2) damage to the kidneys from the dye; (3) bleeding can occur at the site where the catheter is inserted; and (4) blood clots can form around the catheter

You will be asked to do no heavy lifting of greater than 5 pounds for approximately 2-3 days after the procedure due to possible bleeding from the site where the catheter was inserted. You will also be asked not to take a tub bath until the site where the catheter was inserted is healed; this will help you avoid infection. You can usually return to your normal activities over approximately 1 week.

You should call your cardiologist immediately and/or return to the emergency department immediately if you experience rapid swelling or bleeding at the site where the catheter was inserted.

You should follow all the instructions that your healthcare provider gives you.