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