CARDIAC CATHETERIZATION IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE

Abstract

A review is given of experience in catheterizing 70 patients with cardiac malformations. The method is not without danger and should be used only when the diagnosis is in doubt or to obtain information not otherwise obtainable. 6 of the 70 catheterized patients developed pulmonary or systemic thrombosis. Considerable differences in oxygen content may occur in the superior vena cava, inferior vena cava, right atrium and right ventricle, so that at times values for the normal and for defects may overlap. In the absence of shunts, the oxygen content of the right atrial blood is no greater than 2 volumes % of that of the superior vena cava, 3 vol. % of that of the inferior vena cava and 2 vol. % of the mean of both venae cavae. The oxygen content of the right ventricular blood is no more than 1 vol. % of that of the right atrial blood and may be as much as 0.5 vol. % less than that of the pulmonary artery.