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

Indications

Contraindications

Equipment Needed

Procedure

Complications

See Also

External Links

References