PA Catheter Education Project
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This course provides a comprehensive, clinically focused introduction to pulmonary artery catheterization. It covers when to use a PAC, when to avoid it, and how to perform the procedure safely and accurately using both traditional and modified Seldinger techniques. Real-world cases paired with live waveform demonstrations help learners build confidence in interpreting hemodynamics and applying PAC data to complex clinical scenarios.
Course Objectives
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By the end of the course, learners will be able to:
Clinical Indications & Safety
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Identify key indications, contraindications, and complications of PAC use.
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Manage complications effectively and recognize when PAC placement should be avoided.
Anatomy & Technical Skills
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Understand the anatomy of the PAC, cardiac chambers, and pulmonary arteries essential for accurate catheter placement.
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Perform PAC placement.
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Use troubleshooting strategies for common placement challenges.
Hemodynamic Monitoring & Waveform Interpretation
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Understand the principles of hemodynamic monitoring and the parameters obtained through a PAC.
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Recognize normal and abnormal waveforms in the RA, RV, PA, and PAOP positions.
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Interpret pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP) and its relationship to left atrial pressure.
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Apply techniques to overcome common waveform and positioning difficulties.
Advanced Hemodynamics & Calculations
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Calculate cardiac output using thermodilution and understand its advantages, disadvantages, and limitations.
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Calculate cardiac output using direct and indirect Fick principles, and recognize limitations of each method.
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Interpret mixed venous oxygen saturation values and understand their clinical utility and limitations.
Real-World Application
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Integrate PAC waveforms, cardiac index changes, and SvOâ‚‚ data into real-world clinical scenarios to guide diagnosis and management.
