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The pulmonary artery catheter: To use or not to use?

From the February ACP Hospitalist, copyright © 2010 by the American College of Physicians

By Lisa Kirkland, FACP

Sidebar: For more information

Ever wonder why a pulmonary artery catheter is also called a Swan?

In the late 1960s, Dr. Jeremy Swan was inspired by the movement of sailboats to develop the balloon tip we use today. Dr. William Ganz’s thermodilution method of measuring cardiac output was incorporated into the instrument—hence its other nickname, the Swan-Ganz catheter. But pulmonary artery catheterization had been accomplished in research labs for more than a century before this invention.

In fact, several Nobel Prizes have been awarded for methods of right- and left-heart catheterization. Before winning the Nobel Prize in 1956, an enterprising German surgical resident was fired for inserting a urologic catheter through a cut-down in his own forearm to his right atrium using a mirror and fluoroscopy.

The pulmonary artery (PA) catheter is introduced through a large vein into the right atrium and passes through the right ventricle; the tip resides in the pulmonary artery. Saline-filled pressurized ports in the catheter open into the right atrium and the pulmonary artery; an extra port is usually available and its function depends on the type of catheter. Each anatomic site generates its own waveform (Figure 1). Interpretation of these waveforms leads to hypotheses about the patient’s hemodynamic status, and fluid and pharmacologic therapies may be initiated based on these hypotheses (Table 1).

The use of pulmonary artery catheters is controversial. Some evidence suggests that their use increases costs without improving mortality in ICU patients (including those with acute coronary syndromes) or high-risk surgical patients. The benefit of PA catheters in septic shock is also unclear. There are many possible explanations for these findings, including incorrect interpretation of hemodynamic information. Using a questionnaire of hemodynamic data derived from PA catheters, one study found poor interpretation skills among physicians of all levels of training and experience (JAMA. 1990;264(22):2928-32).

The only unique measurement obtained from the PA catheter is the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure. The wedge is used to determine intravascular volume status and cardiac function. However, using the wedge pressure as a surrogate measurement of left ventricular end-diastolic volume entails assumptions that can potentially lead to errors (Table 2). The wedge tracing is assumed to reflect the pressure waveforms and filling pressure of the left ventricle at end-diastole. The left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) represents the LV end-diastolic volume, which represents preload, or the amount of stretch placed on the heart muscle prior to contraction. Anything that disrupts the compliance or function of any anatomic structure between the distal PA catheter port and the left ventricle can create artificial measurements or abnormal waveforms, leading to inaccurate interpretation and treatment (Figure 2).

Other measurements provided by the PA catheter can be obtained through less invasive means. Electrical bioimpedance is noninvasive, measuring cardiac output via changes in electrical impedance induced by thoracic blood flow. Minimally invasive continuous cardiac output monitors analyze arterial waveforms from indwelling arterial lines to assess cardiac output. An ultrasound of jugular veins can assess fluid needs. Central lines with fiberoptic channels can monitor continuous venous oxygen saturation.

A survey of Australasian critical care physicians revealed that 61% believed the use of the PA catheter should be superseded by echocardiography in the future (Anaesth Intensive Care. 2008;36(1):84-9). However, Dr. Jean-Louis Vincent has argued that the PA catheter’s ability to monitor hemodynamics continuously will make the tool a necessity for years to come, and that better training in its use is required (Critical Care. 2006;10(Suppl 3):S1).

Dr. Kirkland is a hospitalist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., and a critical care specialist at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis. She is a member of ACP Hospitalist’s editorial advisory board.

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For more information

Cohen MG, Kelly RV, Kong DF, et al. Pulmonary artery catheterization in acute coronary syndromes: insights from the GUSTO IIb and GUSTO III trials. Am J Med. 2005;118(5):482-8.

Harvey S, Stevens K, Harrison D, et al. An evaluation of the clinical and cost-effectiveness of pulmonary artery catheters in patient management in intensive care: a systematic review and a randomised controlled trial. Health Technol Assess. 2006;10(29):iii-iv, ix-xi, 1-133.

Harvey S, Young D, Brampton W, et al. Pulmonary artery catheters for adult patients in intensive care. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2009;4:00075320-100000000-02426.

Keller AS, Melamed R, Malinchoc M, et al. Diagnostic accuracy of a simple ultrasound measurement to estimate central venous pressure in spontaneously breathing, critically ill patients. J Hosp Med. 2009;4(6):350-5.

Lawrence CD. The history of cardiac catheterization.

Parker MM, Peruzzi W. Pulmonary artery catheters in sepsis/septic shock. New Horiz. 1997;5(3):228-32.

Sandham JD, Hull RD, Brant RF, et al. A randomized, controlled trial of the use of pulmonary-artery catheters in high-risk surgical patients. N Engl J Med. 2003;348:5-14.

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ACP Hospitalist provides news and information for internists about the practice of medicine and reports on the policies, products and activities of ACP. All published material, which is covered by copyright, represents the views of the contributor and does not reflect the opinion of the American College of Physicians or any other institution unless clearly stated