Efficiency of Pa catheters in the ICU of a tertiary care hospital

ABSTRACT

Existing randomized controlled trials on Pulmonary Artery Catheter [PAC]-guided strategies reveal a modest risk reduction that does reach statistical significance. An observational, prospective, controlled study was carried out in the ICU of a tertiary care hospital. Incidence, indications, complication rate and outcome of Pulmonary Artery [PA] catheter over a period of 3 months was looked at, comparing cases to matched controls. Despite being a limited study, it is obvious that the cost effectiveness and outcome of patients with the PA catheter seems ambiguous. In a developing country where resources are limited, thought must be given to the risk and benefit ratio of placing this invasive monitor and use of the information provided properly justified