title: Value of right-sided cardiac catheterization in patients undergoing left-sided cardiac catheterization for evaluation of coronary artery disease.
abstract: The value of right-sided cardiac catheterization was assessed prospectively in 200 patients undergoing left-sided catheterization for evaluation of known or suspected coronary artery disease. Before catheterization, data from right-sided catheterization was not felt to be necessary for clinical management. There were 6 +/- 2 extra minutes of procedure time and 86 +/- 63 extra seconds of fluoroscopy time used. Abnormalities were detected in 69 (35%) patients. These findings were unexpected in 37 of these patients and in 3 patients, further evaluation was prompted. However, management was altered in only 3 (1.5%) patients as a result of data obtained by right-sided catheterization. In conclusion this additional procedure rarely adds clinically useful information about patients undergoing left-sided catheterization and angiography for coronary artery disease without a clinical indication for right-sided catheterization.
authors.affiliation: University of Florida College of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Gainesville 32610.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Miranda
authors.forename: S G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Keim
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Decker
authors.forename: J I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Gonzalez
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Lambert
mesh_terms: D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000191:economics; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors