Basic overview

• This is a test that involves the insertion of a small catheter into the neck vein (internal jugular vein), leg vein (femoral vein), or less commonly the arm vein. After the access site is identified, your doctor will numb the area with local anaesthetic.
• The small catheter will then be passed from the vein into the lung arteries where it will measure the pressures in the lung and right-sided chambers of the heart.

Indications for the test

• Suspected or confirmed elevated lung (pulmonary) pressure – a condition called pulmonary hypertension.
• It may also be performed in some types of congenital heart disease to measure the pressure and oxygen levels in some chambers of the heart.

What to expect

• You will be guided through the procedure on the day, including the risks (<1:1000 chance of a serious complication in experienced hands)
• You will have a cannula inserted into your arm so that sedation can be given (technically you are still conscious for the procedure, but very drowsy).
• After assessing the best access site for the catheter (neck or leg vein), your doctor will numb the relevant area with local anaesthetic.
• The procedure may take about 15-20 minutes.
• Once finished pressure will be delivered to the access site for about 10 minutes, a sterile dressing will then be applied.
• You will be moved to a monitored recovery bay until the sedation has worn off.