Pulmonary Artery Catheter Usage and Impact on Mortality in Patients With Cardiogenic Shock: Results From a Canadian

Ana Beatriz B A C Réa1, Vesna Mihajlovic1, Julie K K Vishram-Nielsen2

  • 1Ted Rogers Centre for Heart Research, Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

PubMed

Insights

Pulmonary artery catheters (PACs) use in cardiogenic shock (CS) patients was linked to reduced in-hospital mortality, particularly in severe cases (SCAI stages D and E). PACs also increased use of mechanical support and advanced heart failure therapies.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Critical Care Medicine
  • Hemodynamics

Background:

  • Renewed interest in pulmonary artery catheters (PACs) for hemodynamic assessment in cardiogenic shock (CS).
  • CS phenotyping requires accurate hemodynamic monitoring.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare clinical outcomes in CS patients who received PAC-guided management versus those who did not.
  • To evaluate the impact of PAC use on in-hospital mortality and advanced therapy utilization.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 1043 CS patients admitted between January 2014 and December 2020.
  • Comparison of in-hospital mortality, advanced heart failure therapies, and length of stay between PAC and non-PAC groups.

Main Results:

  • Patients receiving PACs had lower in-hospital mortality (29.3% vs 36.2%, P=0.02), especially in SCAI stages D and E.
  • PAC use was associated with increased utilization of temporary mechanical circulatory support (MCS), durable ventricular assist devices (VADs), and orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT).
  • PAC patients were younger with lower left ventricular function, higher vasopressor/inotrope use, and longer hospital stays.

Conclusions:

  • PAC use in CS patients is associated with improved survival, particularly in advanced stages.
  • PACs facilitate the timely initiation of mechanical circulatory support and advanced heart failure therapies.
Abstract