Which action is not part of the standard left heart catheterization procedure after femoral access?

Which action is not part of the standard left heart catheterization procedure after femoral access?

• A. Engaging the aortic root and performing LV cannulation.
• B. Right heart catheterization via femoral vein.
• C. Obtaining selective coronary angiography views.
• D. Administering heparin.

Answer: (B)

Left heart catheterization uses arterial access to evaluate the left heart and the coronary arteries. After obtaining femoral arterial access, you would engage the aortic root to access the left ventricle if needed, obtain LV pressures, and perform selective coronary angiography to visualize the coronary vessels. Administering heparin is standard to prevent thrombus formation during catheter manipulation and contrast injections. Right heart catheterization via the femoral vein, which measures pressures in the right atrium, right ventricle, and pulmonary artery, is not part of a standard left-sided study; it’s a venous approach used for separate right-sided hemodynamics or a combined study rather than a routine left heart catheterization.

Left heart catheterization uses arterial access to evaluate the left heart and the coronary arteries. After obtaining femoral arterial access, you would engage the aortic root to access the left ventricle if needed, obtain LV pressures, and perform selective coronary angiography to visualize the coronary vessels. Administering heparin is standard to prevent thrombus formation during catheter manipulation and contrast injections. Right heart catheterization via the femoral vein, which measures pressures in the right atrium, right ventricle, and pulmonary artery, is not part of a standard left-sided study; it’s a venous approach used for separate right-sided hemodynamics or a combined study rather than a routine left heart catheterization.