Clinical Research
Peripheral and Pulmonary Artery Disease
Complications of Right Heart Catheterization Procedures in Patients With Pulmonary Hypertension in Experienced Centers

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2006.07.061Get rights and content
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Objectives

This study sought to assess the risks associated with right heart catheter procedures in patients with pulmonary hypertension.

Background

Right heart catheterization, pulmonary vasoreactivity testing, and pulmonary angiography are established diagnostic tools in patients with pulmonary hypertension, but the risks associated with these procedures have not been systematically evaluated in a multicenter study.

Methods

We performed a multicenter 5-year retrospective and 6-month prospective evaluation of serious adverse events related to right heart catheter procedures in patients with pulmonary hypertension, as defined by a mean pulmonary artery pressure >25 mm Hg at rest, undergoing right heart catheterization with or without pulmonary vasoreactivity testing or pulmonary angiography.

Results

During the retrospective period, 5,727 right heart catheter procedures were reported, and 1,491 were reported from the prospective period, for a total of 7,218 right heart catheter procedures performed. The results from the retrospective and the prospective analyses were almost identical. The overall number of serious adverse events was 76 (1.1%, 95% confidence interval 0.8% to 1.3%). The most frequent complications were related to venous access (e.g., hematoma, pneumothorax), followed by arrhythmias and hypotensive episodes related to vagal reactions or pulmonary vasoreactivity testing. The vast majority of these complications were mild to moderate in intensity and resolved either spontaneously or after appropriate intervention. Four fatal events were recorded in association with any of the catheter procedures, resulting in an overall procedure-related mortality of 0.055% (95% confidence interval 0.01% to 0.099%).

Conclusions

When performed in experienced centers, right heart catheter procedures in patients with pulmonary hypertension are associated with low morbidity and mortality rates.

Abbreviations and Acronyms

CI
confidence interval
NO
nitric oxide
PAH
pulmonary arterial hypertension

Cited by (0)

Part of this work comprised the doctoral thesis of Daniel Brestowsky, University of Giessen Lung Center. Teresa DeMarco, MD, acted as Guest Editor for this article.