Hemodynamic monitoring in the intensive care unit.

Patients in the intensive care unit are often critically ill with inadequate tissue perfusion and oxygenation. This inadequate delivery of substrates at the cellular level is a common definition of shock. Hemodynamic monitoring is the observation of cardiovascular physiology. The purpose of hemodynamic monitoring is to identify abnormal physiology and intervene before complications, including organ failure and death, occur. The most common types of invasive hemodynamic monitors are central venous catheters, pulmonary artery catheters, and arterial pulse-wave analysis. Ultrasonography is a noninvasive alternative being used in intensive care units for hemodynamic measurements and assessments.