PiCCO Guidelines

When do I use PiCCO?

• Same reasons as for a PA cath except……

1. Use a PA Cath if:

1. You need to know pulmonary artery pressures, eg some cardiac surgery

2. Use a PiCCO if:

1. You are concerned about risk of PA rupture eg elderly female with coagulopathy

3. In selecting PiCCO, consider:

1. Can the patient be managed with a CVC?

2. Risk-benefit?

3. PA rupture risk vs benefit of intrathoracic blood volume measurement.

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