Pulmonary artery catheter ports

Five pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) ports are shown. The thermistor port contains fine wires that lead to a temperature thermistor just proximal to the balloon. It is used to monitor pulmonary artery blood temperature as part of the thermodilution method for cardiac output monitoring. The pulmonary artery (PA) distal pressure monitoring port connects to the distal tip of the PAC and is used to transduce pressure. The proximal drug infusion port, usually 30 cm from the catheter tip, is intended for central venous pressure monitoring as well as for intravenous fluid and drug administration. The balloon inflation port leads to the balloon at the catheter tip and allows the balloon to be inflated and deflated during catheter placement. The right ventricle (RV) infusion port is a fifth port that is available on some catheters. It can be used for infusions and occasionally for pacing the RV.