What does the Swanz-Ganz catheter measure?

The Swanz-Ganz catheter, also known as a pulmonary artery catheter, is designed to measure various hemodynamic parameters within the cardiovascular system. It provides critical information that helps in assessing the heart's function and the status of fluid management in patients, particularly in critical care settings.

Specifically, the Swanz-Ganz catheter measures pulmonary artery pressure, includes pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, and assesses central venous pressure.

• Pulmonary artery pressure is vital for evaluating the pressures in the lung circulation, which is crucial for diagnosing conditions like pulmonary hypertension or heart failure.

• Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure provides an indirect measurement of left atrial pressure, which can be informative in assessing left ventricular function and fluid status.

• Central venous pressure reflects the amount of blood returning to the heart and indicates right heart function and fluid volume status.

The ability to gather these multiple parameters makes the Swanz-Ganz catheter invaluable in monitoring and guiding the treatment of patients with complicated cardiac and respiratory conditions. Therefore, the correct choice encompasses all the critical measurements that this catheter can provide.