Wed3November0919PM 4

When threaded, the tip of a pulmonary artery flotation catheter passes through the chambers of the heart and the pulmonary artery to become "wedged".

Which one of the following options corresponds to the sequence of pressures obtained from the tip of a pulmonary artery catheter during its passage in a normal patient?

(Please select 1 option)

2-25 mmHg, 8-12 mmHg, 12-25 mmHg, and 0-12 mmHg

8-12 mmHg, 2-25 mmHg, 12-25 mmHg and 0-12 mmHg

0-12 mmHg, 2-25 mmHg, 12-25 mmHg and 8-12 mmHg This is the correct answer

0-12 mmHg, 12-25 mmHg, 2-25 mmHg and 8-12 mmHg Incorrect answer selected

8-12 mmHg, 12-25 mmHg, 2-25 mmHg and 0-12 mmHg

Explanation

The tip of a pulmonary artery catheter will pass through the right atrium into the right ventricle via the tricuspid valve.

The balloon will be inflated and it will then cross the pulmonary valve to enter the pulmonary artery eventually to "wedge" or occlude the artery to give an indirect measure of left atrial pressure.

Right atrium = 0-12 mmHg

Right ventricle = 2-25 mmHg

Pulmonary artery = 12-25 mmHg

Occlusion pressure = 8-12 mmHg.

Answer Statistics

1

4%

2

15%

3

60%

4

16%

5

7%

Times answered: 254