The Swan-Ganz catheter and its application in the gynecologic patient

Swan-Ganz catheters were used in the pre- and postoperative management of 22 gynecologic patients admitted to the Surgical Intensive Care Unit, University of Miami School of Medicine. Primary indications include preoperative assessment of fluid and volume status, evaluation of patients with severe heart disease, and management of multisystem organ failure. Seventeen patients required ventilatory assistance and 15 patients required vasoactive drugs as determined by Swan-Ganz measurements. With a low complication rate and highly reliable cardiopulmonary data, the Swan-Ganz catheter should be considered routinely in the optimal management of the critically ill or high-risk gynecologic patient.