title: Invasive hemodynamic monitoring.
abstract: Although invasive hemodynamic monitoring requires considerable skill, studies have shown a striking lack of knowledge of the measurements obtained with the pulmonary artery catheter (PAC). This article reviews monitoring using a PAC. Issues addressed include basic physiology that determines cardiac output and blood pressure; methodology in the measurement of data obtained from a PAC; use of the PAC in making a diagnosis and for patient management, with emphasis on a responsive approach to management; and uses of the PAC that are not indications by themselves for placing the catheter, but can provide useful information when a PAC is in place.
authors.affiliation: Department of Critical Care, Royal Victoria Hospital, McGill University Health Centre, 687 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, Quebec H3A 1A1, Canada. Electronic address: sheldon.magder@muhc.mcgill.ca.
authors.forename: Sheldon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Magder
mesh_terms: D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D002302:Cardiac Output / Q000502:physiology*; D002407:Catheterization, Swan-Ganz / Q000379:methods*; D062905:Central Venous Catheters; D023921:Coronary Stenosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Cardiac output; Central venous pressure; Pulmonary artery catheter; Pulmonary artery occlusion pressure; Pulmonary pressure