[Hemodynamic monitoring in the intensive care unit: pulmonary artery catheter versus PiCCO]

Abstract

Hemodynamic monitoring is essential in the diagnosis and management of critically ill patients. Cardiac output represents a major monitoring parameter. There are a number of methods for measurement of cardiac output with various invasive capacities and functional reliability. Thermodilution pulmonary artery catheter and pulse contour analysis by PiCCO are widely used techniques to measure cardiac output in intensive care unit. This review describes the basic principles, limitations and complications of both monitoring tools.