Reliable data may be obtained via the peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) line after evaluation from the pulmonary artery catheter (PAC), and the PICC may provide longer-term hemodynamic assessment while improving patient comfort in patients with heart failure (HF), a recent study suggests. The study enrolled HF patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) with an existing PAC requiring a PICC line to transition. 3 blood samples were taken per person and repeated measures analysis of variance and reliability analysis was performed on 31 participants (77% male, 71% Caucasian, mean age 60 ±8 years, 80% on inotropes). Researchers found:

• The average venous oxygen saturation (VOS) were 62%, 62%, and 61% for the PICC line, central venous pressure (CVP), and distal port, respectively, with excellent reliability.
• The median Fick cardiac outputs (FCO) were 5, 5, and 5 L/min at the PICC, CVP, and distal port, respectively (fair-to-good reliability).