Pulmonary Artery Catheters

Question 1

Pulmonary Artery (PA) Catheter

can measure

Answer 1

• Right arterial (PA) pressure
• Pulmonary artery (PA) pressure
• Pulmonary artery occlusive pressure (PAOP)
  > measurement is obtained after the balloon on the distal top of the cath is briefly inflated
• Cardiac output (CO)
  > measurement is obtained after injecting cold fluid in the proximal port

Question 2

PA Catheter - Indications

Answer 2

• Get info to make a diagnosis
  > valve dysfunc
  > transplant work-up
  > communication btwn right & left (shunts)
• Observe response to therapies
  > positive inotropes
  > vasodilators

Question 3

PA Catheter - Complications

Answer 3

• Cardiac Complications
  > ventricular dysrhythmias
  > endocarditis
  > valvular damage
  > cardiac rupture
  > cardiac tamponade
• Pulmonary Complications
  > rupture of a PA; not deflating balloon
  > PA thrombosis, embolism, or hemorrhage
  > infarction of a segment of lung
• Infection

Question 4

PA Catheter Waveform Interpretation

Answer 4

• Right arterial waveform (r vent preload)
  > normal pressure: 2-5 mmHg
• Right ventricular waveform
  > normal: 20-30/0-5 mmHg
• PA waveform
  > normal systolic pressure: 20-30 mmHg & diastolic pressure is 10mmHg = 20-30/10mmHg
• PA occlusion waveform (wedge) (left vent preload)
  > normal pressure: 5-12 mmHg