The pulmonary artery (Swan-Ganz) catheter. Evaluation of a hemodynamic monitoring device in critical care medicine.

The pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) is an invasive hemodynamic monitoring device that is used extensively in critical care units. This technological advance allows the critical care physician and nurse to closely monitor physiological functions at the bedside. There have been no formal evaluations of the impact of this device on patient care. Reviews and observational studies have yielded different conclusions regarding risks and benefits to patients. This has resulted in much editorial comment expressing divergent opinions on the value of the PAC, but there has been no scientific evidence to guide practice and no apparent effect on the use of these devices. The PAC and other medical monitoring devices must be evaluated with respect to their impact on patient care.