title: How to insert a pulmonary arterial flotation catheter.
abstract: In some cases of acute cardiorespiratory failure rational therapy is only possible with detailed information about the circulation, including pulmonary vascular pressures and cardiac output. This information can be obtained from a pulmonary arterial flotation catheter but the associated complications are potentially lethal. This article gives a concise guide to the insertion of pulmonary arterial flotation catheters with the emphasis on points of safety that should minimize the risk to the patient.
authors.affiliation: Shackleton Department of Anaesthetics, Southampton General Hospital.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pierce
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Woodcock
mesh_terms: D002407:Catheterization, Swan-Ganz / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D011651:Pulmonary Artery; D011669:Pulmonary Wedge Pressure