Pulmonary Artery Catheters: An Update

Abstract

Pulmonary artery (PA) catheters are widely used in the care of the critically ill. Numerous catheter designs are available, and the list of indications for their use is con stantly expanding. Extensive physiological data are sup plied by catheters. Right atrial, right ventricular, PA, and PA wedge pressure waveforms, as well as cardiac output and several derived parameters (e.g., systemic vascular resistance, pulmonary vascular resistance) are easily measured. Clinical application of these data may aid in diagnosis and management of acutely ill patients. Physi cians using catheters need to be aware of the numerous complications associated with their use. Scrupulous at tention to insertion and maintenance techniques will minimize the incidence of many of these complications. The undefined risk/benefit ratio of PA catheterization has caused controversy among physicians. Prospective studies to define better the risks versus benefits of PA catheters are currently being planned. Physicians using PA catheters should recognize that the catheters have no direct therapeutic benefit and that PA catheterization should neither replace bedside clinical evaluation nor delay treatment of the patient.