System PiCCO the enables haemodynamic measurement by means of a normal central line and special thermodilution artery catheter introduced into the large systemic artery – i.e. it avoids pulmonary artery cannulation (PAC). Cardiac output (CO) measured with intermittent transpulmonary thermodilution and continuous pulse curve analysis correlates closely with thePACthermodilution.Volumometric parameters of cardiac preloadmeasured withPiCCOare more accurate in cardiac preload assessment than cardiac filling pressures (central venous pressure,CVP and pulmonary artery occlusion pressure, PAOP). In patients on controlled ventilation,dynamic preload parameters measured with the PiCCO (stroke volume variation, SVV and pulse pressure variation,PPV) are also excellent predictors of haemodynamic volume status. Further on, the PiCCO quantifies lung edema (extravascular lung water, EVLW). In most clinical situations, the PiCCO is a very useful and sufficient tool for haemodynamic measurement in critically ill.

        Key words: critical illness – haemodynamics – monitoring – cardiac output – thermodilution – extravascular lung water