Current status of hemodynamic monitoring: indication, diagnoses, complications

Indications for hemodynamic monitoring include the need to assess left ventricular function, to estimate patient prognosis, to monitor cardiac performance, to study the cardiac response to drugs, to evaluate new methods of treatment, and to diagnose and treat cardiac dysrhythmias. Diagnoses which may be made or clinically facilitated include cardiogenic shock, hypovolemic shock, right ventricular infarction, ruptured ventricular septum, mitral regurgitation, low cardiac output syndrome, cardiac tamponade, and pulmonary embolism. Potential complications of hemodynamic monitoring include dysrhythmias, balloon rupture, knotting of the catheter, pulmonary infarction, pulmonary artery rupture, infection, and deep vein thrombosis.