Mon25October0844PM 7

Are the following true or false of a pulmonary artery flotation catheter (PAFC)?

True / False

Has a thermistor at its proximal end Incorrect answer selected

Has its balloon filled with sterile water Correct

Measures left atrial pressure directly Correct

Can cause heart valve damage Correct

Typically has three lumens Correct

Explanation

A pulmonary artery flotation catheter (PAFC) typically has three lumens.

A thermistor at its distal end can measure core temperature and cardiac output using a thermodilution technique.

The balloon is filled with air to enable catheter migration in the direction of blood flow.

The left atrial pressure is measured indirectly as the catheter wedges in a pulmonary artery, the tip measuring the pressure in the pulmonary capillaries which are in continuity with pulmonary veins and hence the left atrium.

Reference:

Aitkenhead AR, Rowbotham DJ, Smith G (eds.) Textbook of Anaesthesia. 5th ed. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone; 2006.

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