Clinical meaning
Advanced HF management requires understanding of hemodynamic profiles classified by the Stevenson/Nohria 2x2 framework: warm-dry (A — compensated), warm-wet (B — congested, adequate perfusion), cold-dry (L — hypoperfused, no congestion), cold-wet (C — congested and hypoperfused). Invasive hemodynamic monitoring with a pulmonary artery catheter measures PCWP (normal < 12 mmHg, elevated in congestion), cardiac index (normal > 2.2 L/min/m², low output < 2.0), SVR (elevated in cardiogenic shock), and mixed venous O2 saturation (SvO2 < 65% indicates tissue hypoperfusion). These parameters guide pharmacological optimization: vasodilators (nitroprusside, nitroglycerin) for elevated SVR and congestion; inotropes (dobutamine, milrinone) for low output; and vasopressors (norepinephrine, vasopressin) for cardiogenic shock with severe hypotension.