Invasive bedside hemodynamic monitoring

Abstract

NVASIVE BEDSIDE hemodynamic monitoring has been a clinical tool for 15 years. The validity of specific measurements has been debated, but there are few adequate alternatives to rapid onsite assessment of physiologic parameters. Cognizance of usual and less traditional morbidities is important. Justification for pulmonary artery catheter use is provided only by evidences of changes in decisions with respect to the course of therapy. Invasive bedside hemodynamic monitoring might be used to more accurately subset patients in critical care units so that better projections about outcome and therapies can be made. In addition, hemodynamic data could be used for surveillance and to monitor intervention titrations. Appreciation for these details of catheter use should precede participation in invasive hemodynamic monitoring, while future controlled studies in selected patient subsets will make cost benefit analyses more meaningful. Intravascular pressure monitoring has its origin in the early 18th Century when Rev Stephen Hale placed a brass pipe into the crural artery of a horse.’ Central venous pressure (CVP) monitoring