What is the maximum allowed air volume in the distal cuff of a PA catheter?

The maximum allowed air volume in the distal cuff of a Pulmonary Artery (PA) catheter is 1.5 cc. This volume is important to ensure proper balloon inflation for accurate measurements of pressures in the pulmonary artery, while minimizing the risk of over-inflation that can lead to complications such as vessel rupture or pulmonary artery injury.

Using the correct volume allows the balloon to occlude the pulmonary artery effectively, permitting transient measurement of pulmonary artery wedge pressure, which gives insights into left atrial pressure and overall cardiac function. Understanding the specific limits of the balloon volume is crucial for clinicians to maintain patient safety and obtain reliable hemodynamic data.