Pulmonary artery catheter--what role in the 21st century?

The pulmonary artery catheter is a diagnostic tool used routinely in cardiological and general intensive care. Since its implementation in the 1970s, serious doubts have been raised concerning its use and efficacy. These problems are a legacy of the 20th century, and may not be solved in this century, but they cannot be ignored. The authors present an overview of this subject, recording in chronological order the principal events and publications concerning the pulmonary artery catheter, highlighting some controversies, most of them unresolved.