Is the pulmonary artery catheter useful?

In the United States more than 1.5 million pulmonary artery catheters (PACs) are inserted each year. Of these, approximately 55% are placed in high-risk surgical and trauma patients. Most clinicians believe that PAC use is beneficial in guiding therapy and may improve outcome. Despite these beliefs and hundreds of published articles related to PACs, appropriate use and impact on outcome remain unclear. A review of the current literature reveals conflicting data and significant flaws in most study designs. Inadequate sample size, lack of randomization, lack of standardization of therapies to PAC data, and deficiencies in user knowledge all significantly limit interpretation of clinical trials. Despite these deficiencies and the need for better-designed investigations, it is the opinion of the authors that access to hemodynamic data provided by the PAC, coupled with accurate interpretation of the data, may lead to reduced perioperative morbidity and mortality.