Abstract
The role of the pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) or the Swan-Ganz catheter in the monitoring and management of the critically ill patient has not yet been conclusively defined. Despite the initial excessive enthusiasm in the 1970s as well as efforts seeking a moratorium in the 1980s, and the recently completed multicenter, randomized studies, a beneficial effect on morbidity and mortality of its use in the above population of patients has not been clearly demonstrated to date.
The aim of our study was to provide, using relevant publications and our own clinical experience, a rationale for PAC use in specific serious clinical circumstances.