Chapter 50 Pulmonary Artery Catheterization
TYPES OF CATHETERS AND USES
There are many types of pulmonary artery catheters (PACs) designed for angiographic studies or for measuring the blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries. These catheters may be single-lumen or double-lumen catheters.1 Some catheters designed to be introduced into the PA have sensors 4 cm distal to the tip of the catheter that allow temperature measurement (e.g., the Swan-Ganz type catheter). Other catheters may measure blood oxygenation (e.g., the oximetry thermodilution catheter) (Tables 50-1, 50-2, and 50-3). Diameters of thermodilution catheters range from 5 to 7.5 Fr. Angiographic catheters are available from 4 to 8 Fr. Most Swan-Ganz catheters are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and are available in lengths of 75 or 110 cm, which are adequate for most small animal species, but which may not be of sufficient length for horses or other large animals. Other thermodilution catheters are made of polyurethane, which has the characteristic of softening at body temperature.