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Real members of myPHteam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

I Have Been To Cleveland Clinic. Being Sched For Repeat Rhc Then Pulm Angiogram And Probable BPA. The Trip From Phx Is Long And Several Days

A myPHteam Member asked a question 💭
Phoenix, AZ

Can all three tests/ procedures be done thru 1 catheter stick?

January 18, 2024
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A myPHteam Member

It sounds like you have a busy schedule ahead. Here are some details about right heart catheterization (RHC) that might help you prepare:

- Right Heart Catheterization (RHC)
- Purpose: RHC is used to diagnose pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and other cardiovascular diseases. It helps measure blood pressure in the Show Full Answer

It sounds like you have a busy schedule ahead. Here are some details about right heart catheterization (RHC) that might help you prepare:

- Right Heart Catheterization (RHC):
- Purpose: RHC is used to diagnose pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and other cardiovascular diseases. It helps measure blood pressure in the right atrium, right ventricle, and pulmonary artery.
- Procedure: A small, hollow tube called a catheter is inserted through your veins into different areas of the right side of your heart. You may be asked to perform simple exercises during the procedure for some measurements.
- Sensations: You might feel chest fluttering, lightheadedness, pressure in veins, or a warm sensation from medications tested during the procedure.
- Duration: The procedure takes about an hour.
- Post-Procedure: You will be monitored for a couple of hours after the procedure. Avoid driving, operating machinery, or physical exertion as per your doctor's instructions.

- Safety: RHC has a very low risk of complications in experienced facilities. However, the risk is higher for children, infants, or people with severe PAH.

- Patient Experiences: Many people find the procedure to be less painful and easier than expected. Some have shared that it was over before they knew it.

For more detailed information, you can refer to the resources provided by Cleveland Clinic and other reputable sources.

Safe travels and best of luck with your procedures!

July 16, 2024
A myPHteam Member

Hello Judith! I live in Scottsdale and have PAH along with other cardiac and lung issues. There are so many fine hospitals and cardiology (and PH) teams right here. You might want to consider switching over to a team closer to home so it would be less stressful for you and your body. But to try to answer your points, I've had 3 catheterizations. The first one was both right and left heart and involved contrast. When I had my third cath it was a RHC to implant a CardioMEMs device into my pulmonary artery. The cardiologist initially wanted me to have a heart biiopsy done at the same time but we learned that the surgeon doing the implant didn't also. do heart biopsies. So maybe it could be a matter of who does what. Or maybe a matter of how long they can keep you medicated and on the table. My last comment is that where my first 2 caths were one through the arm, the last one had to go through the groin as the device used to carry the MEMs that was going to be implanted was too large to go through the arm.

Anyway, best of luck to you!

January 18, 2024 (edited)
A myPHteam Member

It may be possible that the BPA and RHC can be done at the same time. However, a pulmonary angiogram is a radiology procedure where a radiographic dye is injected into the to view the blood flow through the lungs blood vessels.

January 18, 2024

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