Swan-Ganz - Right Heart Catheterization
Alternate Names : Catheterization - Right Heart, Right Heart Catheterization
DefinitionSwan-Ganz catheterization involves the passage of a catheter into the right side of the heart to obtain diagnostic information about the heart and to provide continuous monitoring of heart function in critically ill patients.
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Why is the Test Performed?
The procedure is performed for the following reasons:
Swan-Ganz catheterization can be used to detect abnormal blood flow between two usually unconnected areas (shunt). Conditions that can also be diagnosed or evaluated with Swan-Ganz catheterization include pulmonary hypertension, cardiac tamponade, and restrictive cardiomyopathy.
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