Right heart catheterization: Difference between revisions

Femoral access is associated with increased risk of local hemorrhage. When the catheter is left indwelling, the jugular or subclavian vein is preferable, because it allows the patient to sit. The jugular approach is preferred to the subclavian to lessen the risk of pneumothorax and is easiest performed ultrasound guided. The basilica or medial antibrachial vein (the continuation of the basilica in the underarm, see figure 2) can also be used, while contrast via an radial arterial sheath (for cardiac output measurement) will visualize the vein.

After placement of the sheath, the flushed catheter is introduced into the vein and advanced into the inferior vena cava, superior vena cava, right atrium, right ventricle and pulmonary artery (figure 3).