Hemodynamic monitoring in acute myocardial infarction.

Hemodynamic monitoring is necessary to assess the state of ventricular performance following myocardial infarction. The methods employed require the insertion of a pulmonary artery catheter and an arterial cannula. With the information obtained thereby, appropriate therapeutic modalities may then be instituted. Hemodynamic monitoring techniques are also invaluable in the diagnosis of mitral regurgitation or ventricular septal defects complicating myocardial infarction.