[Is there any indication for perioperative use of the pulmonary artery catheter?]

The benefit of the pulmonary-artery catheter (PAC) is a matter of discussion since years. The development of alternative monitoring techniques especially for measurement of volume parameters has decreased routine use of the PAC. Several investigations verified advantages of therapy attempting to optimize circulation parameters regardless of the used technique. Nonetheless, patients with a higher peri-operative risk, especially in cardiovascular surgery, may benefit from PAC monitoring intra- or postoperatively.The concerns about the available monitoring techniques bear mainly on the fear being too invasive. Up to now, there is no technique complying with all requirements of an ideal monitoring system.