Invasive Cardiac Monitoring:

Central Venous Catheters and Pulmonary Artery Catheters -

What Every Medical Student Should Know!

 

     In the world of anesthesiology, central venous catheters and pulmonary artery catheters (also known as "Swan-Ganz" Catheters) are tools commonly used in cases where it is vital to quickly ascertain how the heart is functioning, and to help assess the cardiovascular status of a patient.  These catheters have been shown to provide more accurate information than clinical assessment alone in the setting of surgical procedures with wide hemodynamic variability, or in cases where cardiovascular complications may occur.  Information gained with the use of these invasive devices can help an anesthesiologist decide how  to optimize the cardiac function of a patient undergoing a risky surgical procedure.  Understanding how to interpret the information gained with the use of these catheters is just as important as knowing how to place the catheters with minimal pain and risk to the patient.

      Central venous catheters and pulmonary artery catheters are also frequently used outside the operating rooms, as you will see in the upcoming months (or have seen already!)  These catheters are useful in the management of critically ill patients in intensive care settings; the information they provide can help with the treatment of heart failure, kidney failure, pulmonary disease, complex fluid management, and even high risk obstetrics, to name just a few examples.    

   By going through this site, you will hopefully be able to:

  1. Understand what central venous catheters and pulmonary artery catheters are, and what they are used for
  2. Grasp the physiology behind central venous pressure and pulmonary arterial pressure monitoring
  3. Learn how these two catheters are placed with minimal risk and pain to the patient, including the important anatomy and equipment used in the process of catheterization.
  4. Understand the complications that can arise in the setting of invasive catheter placement and use.
  5. Interpret the information given by catheter pressure measurements and waveforms
  6. Touch on the controversy surrounding pulmonary artery catheter use
  7. Look like a rock star during your anesthesiology/surgery/ICU rotations!

 

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