Pulmonary artery catheterization (PAC) is the insertion of a
catheter into a pulmonary artery. Its purpose is diagnostic; it is used to
detect heart failure or sepsis, monitor therapy, and evaluate the effects of
drugs. The pulmonary artery catheter allows direct, simultaneous measurement of
pressures in the right atrium, right ventricle, pulmonary artery, and the
filling pressure of the left atrium.
