Swan-Ganz Catheter

Procedures & Monitoring · ICU Decoded chapter 81 · Locked — free with a referral

By Dr Javed Akhtar · Last reviewed 3 October 2026

Cited to Hemodynamic society guidance.

Key points

Reserve the PA catheter for mixed shock, uncertain volume status, PH/RV failure, or high-risk surgery.
Read RA, PA, PCWP, CO/CI, and SvO₂ as trends rather than single numbers, with the transducer at the phlebostatic axis.
Low CI with PCWP >18 points to cardiogenic; low CI with low PCWP points to volume; distributive shows high CO + low SVR.
Expect complications such as arrhythmia during floatation, PA rupture (wedge carefully), and infection.

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