Table 2

Clinical meanings and usefulness of various PAC-derived haemodynamic variables in different clinical conditions

Clinical scenario
Useful PAC-derived indices
Clinical meaning/uses

Impaired left ventricular systolic function
CI
Clinical target (i.e. >2.4 l/min per m2)


Monitor effects of inotropic therapy


Monitor fluid responsiveness

PCWP
Left ventricular filling pressure


Monitor fluid responsiveness


Monitor effects of inotropic/vasodilating therapy

PAP
Check for the presence of pre-capillary or post-capillary pulmonary hypertension


Possible use as continuous index of left ventricular preload

SVR
Check for the presence of a peripheral vasoconstrictive status

SvO2
Monitor the effects of vasodilating therapies


Clinical target (i.e. >75%)


Check matching of DO2 to VO2


Monitor adequacy of CI


Monitor the effects of drug and fluid administration
Impaired right ventricular function
CI
As above

SvO2
As above

PCWP
As above

CVP
RV preload and venous system filling status


Monitor fluid responsiveness

PVR
Check for the presence of pulmonary hypertension


Guide inhaled nitric oxide therapy and ventilator settings

Right ventricular EF
RV contractility index

RV EDV
RV preload
Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction
CI
As above

SvO2
As above

PCWP
As above, with particular respect to fluid responsiveness and fluid administration


Follow changes from pseudo-normalization to restrictive pattern
Acute ventricular septal defect
CI
Suggestive for VSD reopening after correction if increased

SvO2
Diagnostic for VSD reopening after correction if increased
LVAD
CVP
Right ventricular preload and general filling status of the patient

PVR
Presence of pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension


Need for iNO therapy and monitor the effects

Right ventricular EF
Right ventricular contractility and preload

RVEDV


SvO2
Adequacy of LVAD flow to the metabolic needs

CI, cardiac index; CVP, central venous pressure; DO2, oxygen delivery; EF, ejection fraction; LVAD, left ventricular assist device; PAC, pulmonary artery catheter; PAP, pulmonary artery pressure; PCWP, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure; PVR, pulmonary vascular resistances; RVEDV; right ventricle end-diastolic volume; SvO2, mixed venous oxygen saturation; SVR, systemic vascular resistances; VO2, oxygen consumption.

Ranucci Critical Care 2006 10(Suppl 3):S6   doi:10.1186/cc4833