Final answer:
The Swan-Ganz catheter measures pulmonary artery pressure, cardiac output, right ventricular pressure, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, and mixed venous oxygen saturation, among other hemodynamic parameters, to assess cardiac function.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Swan-Ganz catheter measures various hemodynamic parameters to assess cardiac function and guide clinical management. It is particularly used during surgery or in intensive care. The following are five measurements or characteristics that the Swan-Ganz catheter can measure:
- Pulmonary artery pressure: Provides information about the pressures in the right side of the heart and the lungs.
- Cardiac output: Measures the volume of blood the heart pumps per minute.
- Right ventricular pressure: Helps in assessing the function of the right side of the heart.
- Pulmonary capillary wedge pressure: Estimates left atrial pressure and can indicate left ventricular function or mitral valve disease.
- Mixed venous oxygen saturation (SvO2): Reflects the balance between oxygen delivery and consumption.
Additional hemodynamic variables such as cardiac index, systemic and pulmonary vascular resistance, and stroke volume can also be derived from the data obtained by the Swan-Ganz catheter. These measurements are vital for understanding a patient's cardiovascular health and to tailor treatments effectively.