• Introduction
  • Introduction
  • Computing techniques
  • About the authors
  • Disclaimer
  • WWW documents
  • References
• Basic principles
  • Basic Concepts
  • Measurable parameters
  • Requisite cognitive skills
  • Simulator Exercises
• Anatomy
  • Internal Jugular Vein
  • Subclavian Vein
  • External Jugular Vein
  • Heart and great vessels
• Physiology
  • Requirements of a transducer system
  • Measurable parameters
  • Blood gas and saturation measurements
  • Determinants of cardiac output
  • Cardiac output measurement
  • Right ventricular function
  • Effects of intrathoracic pressure
  • Pitfalls in interpreting the data
  • Validity of measurements
• Insertion
  • Preparation for PA catheterisation
  • Route of insertion
  • Subclavian Approach
  • Internal Jugular Approach
  • Catheter flotation
• Medical aspects
  • Indications for use in adults
  • Indications for paediatric use
  • Contraindications to the PAC
  • PAC management on bypass
  • Risk:Benefit analysis
  • Alternatives to the PAC
  • Patterns of haemodynamic abnormality
  • Inotropic / Chronotropic drugs
  • Vasoactive drugs
• Complications
  • Overview of complications
  • Cardiac arrhythmias
  • Pulmonary artery rupture
  • Pulmonary infarction
  • Catheter-related sepsis
  • Complications of internal jugular venepuncture
  • Complications of subclavian venepuncture
  • Miscellaneous complications
  • Guidelines for safe usage
• Equipment
  • Requirements of a transducer system
  • Alternatives to the PAC
  • Special Purpose PA Catheters