Swan ganz Vs Picco

Janet Barclay · Oct 21, 2001

Hi Jane,

I guess we're all too embarrassed to admit that we don't know what PICCO's are LOL. I've worked ICU/CCU for 13 years and haven't a clue what you're talking about. Maybe we call it something else?

We use PA cathters, though less than we used to, and have a continuous cardiac output machine/ SVO2 moniter that only comes out of it's hole every 6 months.

Janet

Jane Wilson · Oct 28, 2001

Hi Janet,

I think the reason that you have never heard of Picco catheters is that they are called something different in the states. The correct name is Transpulmonary thermodiultion technique and arterial pulse contour analysis. The catheter can be introduced via femoral or radial. They are not used that much in our hospitals, we thought that the USA might be a little more advanced in this field.

Thanks for your post

Jane;)

nesje30 · Nov 13, 2004

Picco is a system of thermodilution measurement where you need an arterial line (femoral) and a central katheter (3 lumen)

20 cc of cold nitrate is injected through the central catheter. By thermodilution and pulse contour, you have measures like extravascular lungwater, cardiac output and cardiac idex.

It works a bit like Swan Ganz, but much less invasive

sorry for the bad english

vanessa from belgium

TREBORICUNURSE · Nov 15, 2004

Recently our RMO,s and head of our unit ( CCU) has decided to change to PICCo catheter for monitoring, instead of using SwanGanz catheters. Our nurses are a little worried about the change , as we have always used Swans ,as there is very little written about the PICCO we are wondering if it used elsewere?. What do you all use in your units for monitoring? If anyone is using PICCO I would be grateful if I could have a chat,or some information on the pros and cons.
Thanks
Jane Aussie:D

Try here - https://allnurses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62914

There is a short discusion about PiCCO vs Swan - Ganz.

My expirience = I think that Swan`s are better method for hemodynamic mesurement.

pricklypear · Nov 17, 2004

We use Lidco or Pulseco systems in our unit. I'm not sure what a PiCCO is, but it sounds similar. The system only requires an accurate artline waveform and gives continous, real-time readings. We still use Swans on patients with potential or actual pulmonary pressure problems. The Lidco is only good for CO, CI and SVR. It's also a pain in the *** if you have a bad artline, the patient is in a-fib, or you can't get it calibrated for one reason or another. Personally, I like the Swan since if you know it's positioned properly, you know you have accurate numbers. I'm never sure with the Lidco. They also have to be calibrated every 8-12 hours, which, as I mentioned before, is a pain. Sometimes you'll have great numbers, recalibrate, and the numbers are in the toliet! Anybody else use this system??