PA Catheter Education Project
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
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 SvO₂ data into real-world clinical scenarios to guide diagnosis and management.
