Pulmonary artery catheter

Overview

• 7 French catheter inserted through sheath introducer into the right side of the heart to measure CVP and pulmonary artery pressures
• Uses the principle of balloon flotation
  • Small balloon inflated at tip of catheter
  • Allows tip to travel through right atrium to right ventricle to pulmonary artery
• Has two ports; one rests in right atrium and second rests in pulmonary artery
• Normal pressures:
  • RA: 2-6 mmHg
  • RV: 20-30/0-5 mmHg
  • PA: 20-30/5-15 mmHg
  • PCWP: 4-12 mmHg