title: Efficiency of PA catheters in the ICU of a tertiary care hospital.
abstract: Existing randomized controlled trials on Pulmonary Artery Catheter (PAC)-guided strategies reveal a modest risk reduction that does reach statistical significance. An observational, prospective, controlled study was carried out in the ICU of a tertiary care hospital. Incidence, indications, complication rate and outcome of Pulmonary Artery (PA) catheter over a period of 3 months was looked at, comparing cases to matched controls. Despite being a limited study, it is obvious that the cost effectiveness and outcome of patients with the PA catheter seems ambiguous. In a developing country where resources are limited, thought must be given to the risk and benefit ratio of placing this invasive monitor and use of the information provided properly justified.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi.
authors.forename: Shahla
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Siddiqui
authors.forename: Gurmukh
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Das
authors.forename: Saad
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.forename: Hashaam
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ghafoor
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002407:Catheterization, Swan-Ganz / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000191:economics*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010154:Pakistan