New horizons (Baltimore, Md.)
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To review the literature addressing use of the pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) in pediatric patients. ⋯ Until there is substantive evidence in children that outcome is negatively affected by their use, PACs should remain available. Experienced physicians should directly supervise PAC insertion and use.
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To survey physicians' attitudes toward the pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) and to assess physicians' knowledge of pulmonary artery catheterization. ⋯ The results of this mail survey/examination reflect the current attitudes and knowledge of the responding U.S. physician members of the Society of Critical Care Medicine regarding the PAC. The majority of the respondents are in favor of a prospective, randomized, controlled trial involving the PAC; 95% of the respondents feel that a moratorium on further use of the PAC is currently not warranted. Rather than a call for such a moratorium, a call for the development and maintenance of educational, credentialing, and continuous quality improvement policies involving the PAC is warranted and overdue.