Which parameter does right heart catheterization primarily evaluate?

Right heart catheterization is a procedure specifically designed to assess the hemodynamics of the right side of the heart as well as the pulmonary circulation. It provides critical information about the right atrial pressure, right ventricular pressure, and pulmonary artery pressure. These measurements are essential for diagnosing and managing conditions such as pulmonary hypertension, heart failure, and certain congenital heart defects.

The focus on right heart pressures and pulmonary artery pressures allows healthcare providers to understand the functionality and pressure dynamics in the right atrium, right ventricle, and lungs, which is crucial in evaluating the overall cardiovascular status of a patient.

Other parameters like left ventricular function, coronary artery issues, and heart valve integrity are more appropriately assessed using different diagnostic tools such as echocardiograms, angiograms, or other imaging studies. These other options do not relate directly to the primary purpose of right heart catheterization, which is why they are not the correct choice.