Use of balloon flotation catheters in critically ill patients.

In summary, balloon flotation catheterization of the central circulation provides data in patient management which are meaningful and important. It has allowed the application of sound physiologic principles to the understanding of the circulatory abnormalities characterizing an illness in an individual patient, and provides a rational basis for selection of therapy with objective, quantitative assessment of patient response. The procedures are simple, the complication rate is low, and the information highly relevant to clinical care.