The urinary catheter technique: A novel approach to right heart catheterization via the antecubital venous system

Abstract

Right heart catheterization permits assessment of intracardiac hemodynamics in various forms of cardiac disease. Although usually performed via a central vein, an antecubital vein may also be accessed. The basilic vein presents the theoretical advantage of draining directly into the subclavian vein, whereas the angle between the cephalic and subclavian veins tends to be rather acute and, consequently, advancement of the Swan-Ganz catheter in this setting may be difficult. In the present report, the Author describes a novel technique which overcomes the tortuosity that is encountered when the Swan-Ganz catheter is advanced from the cephalic vein into the subclavian vein.