Right heart catheterization in clinical practice: a review of basic physiology and important issues relevant to interpretation.

Pulmonary artery catheterization is a diagnostic procedure in which a catheter is inserted through a central vein and advanced toward the pulmonary artery to measure right atrial, right ventricular, and pulmonary artery pressures, estimate cardiac output, identify intracardiac shunts, and measure pulmonary vascular resistance. Hemodynamic measurements can provide a better understanding of the pathophysiology of heart failure and pulmonary hypertension, but their proper assessment and optimal use can be challenging due to differences in techniques that can lead to differences in conclusions and therapeutic management strategies. In this review, we will discuss right heart catheterization and its role in clinical practice (e.g., shunt evaluation, management of cardiogenic shock) and summarize important concerns related to measurement and interpretation.