Right Heart Catheterization, a procedure used for over 30 years to monitor the heart during major non-cardiac operations, may actually increase a patient's risk of heart attack. During the procedure, a thin tube is inserted into a neck vein and pushed down into the right side of the heart to monitor for any irregularities.

Right Heart Catheterization is primarily used during surgical procedures on patients with a history of heart trouble. However, researchers at Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital recently found that the procedure has little benefit and may actually increase the chance of a heart attack.

The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute is currently conducting two studies on Right Heart Catheterization.

See Also

  1. Medical Procedures: Overview
  2. Heart Attack Lawsuits
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