Pulmonary Artery

Question 1

Pulmonary artery catheters are used to measure what?

Answer 1

pressures in the pulmonary artery and left side of the heart

*Reflects left ventricular function

Question 2

pulmonary artery catheters provide direct measures of what parameter?

Answer 2

cardiac output

Question 3

Flow-directed catheter

Where are the possible insertion sites (veins) ?

Answer 3

Inserted via

• subclavian,
• internal jugular
• femoral vein

Question 4

Placement of the catheter in the pulmonary artery is facilitated by what mechanism?

Answer 4

inflation of the balloon tip

using the balloon as a “raft” that follows right ventricular blood flow,

–> floating the catheter into the pulmonary artery.

Question 5

What are the Several variations of the pulmonary artery catheter?

Answer 5

• mixed venous catheter or SvO2

- continuous cardiac output catheter (CCO)

Question 6

Insertion of PA Catheter

What is the proper position of the patient?

How to maneuver this position?

Answer 6

Trendelenburg is common

How: Towel roll between shoulder blades to move away from carotid area

Question 7

Insertion of PA Catheter

What is the order of events for insertion?

Answer 7

1. ) Trendelenburg position
2. ) Inserted with balloon deflated, selected inflation to “float” catheter into PA
3. ) Waveform changes as catheter progresses
4. ) Check for proper “wedging” for PAOP

5.) Chest x-ray to document placement
and rule out complications

(*like Pneumothorax)