[Continuous monitoring of the pulmonary artery pressure in acute myocardial infarction (author's transl)]

Abstract

The method of continuous pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) monitoring and its use in 66 patients with acute myocardial infarction is described. Measurement of PAP should be the first diagnostic step in hemodynamic monitoring and early recognition of left ventricular failure. In cases of elevated PAP and critical general state of the patient, monitoring should be extended by measuring pulmonary wedge pressure and cardiac output. Hemodynamic monitoring should be continued for 3 to 5 days, since some cases of acute myocardial infarction with increasing PAP up to the 4th day after the onset were recorded. With the safety precautions mentioned, neither threatening, arrhythmia, nor thromboembolic or septic complications were observed.