Cardiac Catheterization: II. Detection and Assessment of Common Cardio‐vascular Abnormalities

Summary The haemodynamic parameters used in detecting and assessing each of several common cardio‐vascular abnormalities are presented, and the pertinent catheterization techniques are described. Methods for studying patients with the more common congenital cardiac malformations are for the most part well standardized, and when adequate data are obtained, these are usually easily interpreted. Acquired valvular lesions, especially stenotic ones, can also be evaluated by standard techniques and the severity of such lesions accurately determined. In contrast, methods for studying myocardial function are less satisfactory. The parameters usually employed in assessing myocardial performance are also influenced by extra‐myocardial factors, and some of the more meaningful methods of studying myocardial contractility are still too complex and time‐consuming for routine use. Except for selective angiocardiography, cardiac catheterization techniques are likewise of only limited help in evaluating patients with ischaemic heart disease.