Korean J Anesthesiol.  1994 Dec;27(12):1827-1832. 10.4097/kjae.1994.27.12.1827.

Pulmanary Artery Rupture with Pulmoanry Artery Catheter

• Cho MW
• Kim HR
• Lee DM

• KMID: 2240471
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.1994.27.12.1827

Abstract

Pulmonary artery rupture with a flow-directed balloon tipped pulmonary artery catheter (Swan-Ganz catheter)is a rare complication with high mortality. This report concerns a case of this complication with hemothorax leading to fatal exsanguination. Emphasis is placed on the safety guidelines to prevent this. Also, possible causes and managements are presented. A high index of suspicion is necessary whenever a patient with the catheter has hemoptysis or unexplained hemodynamic or respiratory changes.

Keyword

Pulmonary artery catheter; Complication; Pulmonary artery rupture

MeSH Terms

Arteries*
Catheters*
Exsanguination
Hemodynamics
Hemoptysis
Hemothorax
Humans
Mortality
Pulmonary Artery
Rupture*