Hemodynamic Effects of Nonionic Contrast Bolus Injection and Oxygen Inhalation During Pulmonary Angiography in Patients With Chronic Major-Vessel Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension

Background Pulmonary angiography is the gold standard for the diagnosis of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension; however, major complications have been reported. This study evaluates the hemodynamic effects of direct pulmonary nonionic contrast bolus injection and oxygen inhalation in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. Methods and Results In 33 patients, hemodynamic parameters were measured after oxygen inhalation and during bolus injection of nonionic contrast medium in a control group (group 1, n=11), in a group of patients with moderately severe pulmonary hypertension (group 2, n=9), and in a group with severe pulmonary hypertension (group 3, n=13). Ox…