Monitoring of Cardiac Output and Its Derivatives

Abstract

The classical pulmonary artery catheter, also called the Swan-Ganz catheter, is a hemodynamic monitoring tool still in use in the ICU. Over the last 15 years, less invasive techniques have been developed, resulting in reduced use of this catheter. In addition, a meta-analysis on the influence of this catheter on the survival of ICU patients showed no benefit in terms of mortality rates [1,2]. However, it is important to understand what information can be obtained using the present catheter. Here, the authors present the data that can be obtained through the pulmonary artery catheter and the resulting calculations: intravascular pressure, cardiac output (by the thermodilution technique), and mixed venous oxygen saturation levels.