Choosing the Best Method for Hemodynamic Monitoring

Optimizing hemodynamics improves patient outcomes in critically ill patients. There are many types of hemodynamic monitoring. When choosing the monitoring type, factors include accuracy, invasiveness, the desired hemodynamic variables, and potential complications. For example, the Pulmonary Artery Catheter is invasive and can be associated with catheter-related complications. Still, the values it provides have been validated and may be more useful when treating patients with heart problems. New minimally invasive and noninvasive hemodynamic monitoring systems, such as the Flo Trac and the ClearSight, deliver functional hemodynamic values that can be used to evaluate the real-time response to fluid administration. Minimally invasive and noninvasive devices’ ease of use, availability, and relative lack of patient complications make them appealing. However, they may lack accuracy in some situations.