A retrospective review to evaluate the safety of right heart catheterization via the internal jugular vein in the assessment of pulmonary hypertension.
BACKGROUND
Right heart catheterization (RHC) is important in the evaluation of pulmonary hypertension, but is not without risk.


OBJECTIVE
We wished to assess the safety, efficacy, and tolerability of RHC performed via the internal jugular vein (IJV) at our tertiary cardiothoracic center.


METHODS
A retrospective review of the medical records for all patients undergoing RHC via the IJV between January 1, 2007 and July 31, 2009 was performed. We do not routinely use ultrasound guidance or stop anticoagulation. Operators with a median experience of 450 procedures performed the RHCs.


RESULTS
Right heart catheterization was performed on 349 patients with a median age of 66 years (range, 17-89), median mean pulmonary artery pressure of 30 mm Hg (range, 8-69), and a median internationalized normal ratio of 2.5. Of 349 patients, we were unable to obtain intravenous access in only 1 patient; 342 (98%) patients tolerated RHC with local anesthetic alone; and 6 patients required additional sedation with benzodiazepines. The median time for the procedure was 15 minutes. Complications occurred in 6 patients (1.7%) and included carotid puncture (n = 3), sinus bradycardia below 45 beats/min, which responded promptly to atropine and intravenous fluid (n = 2), and complete heart block without hemodynamic compromise (n = 1). There were no pneumothoraxes, pulmonary hemorrhage, or deaths related to the procedure.


CONCLUSIONS
Right heart catheterization via the IJV is quick, safe, and well tolerated. It is not associated with an increased risk of pneumothorax or other complications when performed by experienced operators.
Department of Cardiothoracic Medicine, St. George's Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
Harpreet
H
Ranu
Katherine
K
Smith
Kofi
K
Nimako
Abhijat
A
Sheth
Brendan P
BP
Madden
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001919:Bradycardia / Q000209:etiology; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D020212:Carotid Artery Injuries / Q000209:etiology; D002983:Clinical Competence; D005260:Female; D006327:Heart Block / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007601:Jugular Veins; D008131:London; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult