CATHETERIZATION MAY HARM HEART FAILURE PATIENTS

Patients with severe congestive heart failure are at risk of more injury by using pulmonary artery catheterization, a recent study finds.

According to a study published in the Oct. 5 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, the use of pulmonary artery catheters, which monitor hemodynamic status and guide therapy, may increase the risk of death for hospitalized patients.

The study, conducted by Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, found that patients using the catheters were more likely to face in-hospital adverse events. Of the 433 patients studied over three years, adverse events were found in over 21 percent of those using the catheter, as opposed to 11 percent of patients not using the device. There were no deaths related to catheter use.