Hemodynamic changes during retrograde left-heart catheterization in patients with aortic stenosis

Pulmonary artery pressures in patients with aortic stenosis have been related to postoperative prognosis and surgical risk. However, while right- and left-heart pressures should be measured simultaneously, a catheter lying across the stenotic aortic valve might alter left- and right-heart pressures. To assess this phenomenon, right- and left-heart pressures were recorded before and after retrograde crossing of the aortic valve in 51 patients (30 patients with and 21 without aortic stenosis). In aortic stenosis, the mean pulmonary artery pressure increased (p less than 0.001) after transaortic valvular pressure catheter placement (average 4 mm Hg, peak 19 mm Hg); in the absence of aortic stenosis, the mean pulmonary artery pressure did not change (average 0 mm Hg; NS). A similar response was noted for the mean pulmonary capillary wedge pressure. Hemodynamic changes did not correlate with the severity of aortic stenosis or with left ventricular performance. Right-heart pressures should be determined without transaortic valvular catheter in place, if accurate interpretation of the hemodynamic effects of aortic stenosis is to be achieved.