Hemodynamic assessment in the contemporary intensive care unit: a review of circulatory monitoring devices.

The assessment of the circulating volume and efficiency of tissue perfusion is necessary in the management of critically ill patients. The controversy surrounding pulmonary artery catheterization has led to a new wave of minimally invasive hemodynamic monitoring technologies, including echocardiographic and Doppler imaging, pulse wave analysis, and bioimpedance. This article reviews the principles, advantages, and limitations of these technologies and the clinical contexts in which they may be clinically useful.