PAC Sweep Speed
I cannot provide a recommendation on sweep speed for pulmonary artery catheter monitoring because none of the provided evidence addresses sweep speed settings for PAC waveform display.
What the Evidence Actually Covers
The available guidelines and research discuss:
PAC placement indications and timing - The ASA recommends PAC placement before anesthesia induction in cardiogenic shock patients, and considers it reasonable for acute hemodynamic instability 1
Infection prevention and catheter duration - The CDC states PAC can remain in place without routine replacement for at least 7 days, with heparin-bonded catheters showing lower infection rates (2.6 vs 5.5 per 1,000 catheter days) 1
Hemodynamic parameters and interpretation - Normal values include PA systolic pressure 15-30 mmHg, diastolic 4-12 mmHg, and PCWP <12 mmHg 2
Complications - Major complications include arrhythmias, PA rupture (0.03-0.2% incidence with 41-70% mortality), and catheter-related infections 1, 3
The Missing Information
Sweep speed refers to the horizontal time scale on the monitor display (typically 25 mm/sec or 50 mm/sec for cardiac waveforms), which affects how waveforms appear on screen and in printouts. This technical display parameter is not addressed in any of the clinical guidelines or research provided 1, 2.
Standard practice typically uses 25 mm/sec for routine hemodynamic monitoring to allow adequate waveform visualization, but this represents general medical knowledge rather than evidence-based guidance from the provided sources.