Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 8, 2026

Shunt Surgery, Right Heart Catheterization, and Vascular Morphometry in a Rat Model for Flow-induced Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Published on: February 11, 2017
Right Heart Catheterization for the Diagnosis of Pulmonary Hypertension: Controversies and Practical Issues
Michele D'Alto1, Konstantinos Dimopoulos2, John Gerard Coghlan3
1Department of Cardiology, Second University of Naples, Monaldi Hospital, piazzale E. Ruggieri, Naples 80131, Italy.
Abstract:
Right heart catheterization (RHC) is the gold standard for the diagnosis and classification of pulmonary hypertension. Significant expertise is required for safely performing a full RHC and for the acquisition of reliable and reproducible information. Physicians performing an RHC should have adequate training not only in vascular access, catheter insertion, and manipulation but also in the interpretation of waveforms, potential pitfalls, and strict quality control. This article describes the essential technical aspects of RHC as applied to the pulmonary circulation, the potential pitfalls, and areas of major controversy.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Cardiac Catheterization II: Right Heart Catheterization
Cardiac Catheterization III: Left Heart Catheterization
Pulmonary Hypertension: Classification and Pathogenesis
There are various classifications for PH, each relating to different underlying causes and also...
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors
Among the PDE5 inhibitors, sildenafil (Revatio) stands out as a competitive and selective inhibitor. It operates by elevating cellular levels of cGMP and augmenting signaling through the cGMP-PKG pathway, promoting vasodilation. Upon oral...
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Endothelin Receptor Antagonists
ETs are synthesized through a complex sequence of enzymatic steps, primarily involving an enzyme referred to as endothelin-converting enzyme...
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Prostacyclin Receptor Agonists
These agonists bind to the IPR receptor situated on the plasma membrane of the pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. This binding triggers a cascade of reactions known as the GS-AC-cAMP-PKA pathway. This pathway results in the relaxation of smooth muscle...

