When is pulmonary artery catheterization worth the risks?

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Direct measurement of a patient's hemodynamic state at the bedside provides critical information that once was obtainable only in a specialized catheterization laboratory. With pulmonary artery catheterization, candidates (eg, patients with unexplained hypotension, complicated myocardial infarction) are much more readily examined. Dr Zimmerman explains when this invasive procedure is the best choice, how insertion of the catheter may be performed, and what complications can be expected.