Does exercise testing with invasive measurements of cardiac output and pressure really contribute?

Quantification of heart failure is possible with hemodynamic parameters such as cardiac output and filling pressure at rest and during exercise. These parameters can easily but invasively be achieved by floating catheter measurements. In our experience, the risk of this method is low but existent. In greater than 20 000 patients with chronic diseases no death occurred in connection with the procedure; 26 patients developed ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardias which made defibrillation necessary in 10 of these patients. In three patients asystolia demanded resuscitation. Hemoptysis did not occur. In the acute stage of a disease, e.g. in the acute myocardial infarction, the risk may be higher, especially if the catheter remains in the circulation for longer periods. The possibilities and limitations of the method will be discussed for the following patient groups: (1) Patients with acute myocardial infarction, (2) Postinfarction patients, (3) Patients with cardiomyopathies, (4) Patients with valvular heart disease.