Indications for pulmonary artery flow-directed catheters

The pulmonary artery flow-directed catheter (Swan-Ganz catheter) has been in clinical use for 20 years. These devices are now used by 80% of UK intensive care units for the diagnosis and monitoring of a wide range of cardiorespiratory problems. The principal indications for the use of pulmonary artery catheters and the evidence supporting these indications are outlined in this article.