Clinical meaning
The clinician interprets cardiac catheterization data for clinical decision-making, selects procedural strategies, and manages complex post-PCI care. Hemodynamic data interpretation includes: LVEDP (normal 5-12; above 15 suggests diastolic dysfunction; above 20 suggests decompensated HF); aortic valve gradient (mean gradient above 40 mmHg with AVA below 1.0 cm2 indicates severe aortic stenosis); mitral valve gradient (mean gradient above 10 mmHg indicates severe mitral stenosis); Qp/Qs ratio (pulmonary-to-systemic flow ratio above 1.5 indicates hemodynamically significant left-to-right shunt, as in ASD or VSD). Angiographic stenosis severity is graded by percent luminal narrowing, but functional significance requires FFR or iFR assessment for intermediate lesions (40-70%). PCI decision-making involves assessing the SYNTAX score (anatomical complexity: low 0-22, intermediate 23-32, high 33+; high SYNTAX favors CABG over PCI for multi-vessel disease). The clinician manages DAPT duration using the DAPT score (considers age, diabetes, smoking, prior MI/PCI, stent diameter/type, CHF, vein graft stenting; score above 2 favors extended DAPT, below 2 favors shortened DAPT). The clinician also manages patients on chronic anticoagulation who require PCI, using the least thrombogenic regimen possible (shortest duration of triple therapy with...