A history of cardiac catheterisation

Summary

The history of cardiac catheterisation has seen periods of rapid development, triumphs, interspersed with periods of stagnation, and a few curious ideas. From the first recorded right heart catheterisation by Forssmann on himself in 1929, to its contemporary role as one of most commonly performed medical techniques in the western world, cardiac catheterisation has taken time, brilliant ideas, courage, and tremendous industrial efforts. It has been well worth the considerable time and money invested in its development. It will continue to evolve and, despite emerging alternative techniques, will maintain a pivotal role in clinical practice for the foreseeable future. The history of the development of this technique teaches us that the journey from invention to innovation is a complex process. From the beginning this process has involved a large number of pioneers who did not accept dogma and were willing to embrace new technologies, and this will be the case in the future as well. Percutaneous techniques serve as a reminder that human ingenuity, when coupled with determination, cross-discipline cooperation and serendipity, can result in radical – and positive – changes of practice.

Introduction

Hildner suggested that the evolution of cardiac catheterisation be divided into 5 eras (Table 1)....