Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg.  2014 Aug;47(4):416-419.

Postoperative Life-Threatening Recurrent Ventricular Arrhythmia Triggered by the Swan-Ganz Catheter in a Patient Undergoing Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

• Min J
• Choi JS
• Oh SJ
• Seong YW
• Moon HJ
• Lee JS

Abstract

Recurrent ventricular arrhythmia can be fatal and cause serious complications, particularly when it is caused immediately after an operation. Incorrect placement of a Swan-Ganz catheter can trigger life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia, but even intensive care specialists tend to miss this fact. Here, we report a case of recurrent ventricular arrhythmia causing a severe hemodynamic compromise; the arrhythmia was induced by a severely angulated Swan-Ganz catheter. The recurrent ventricular arrhythmia was not controlled by any measures including repositioning of the catheter, until the complete removal of the Swan-Ganz catheter. It is necessary to keep in mind that the position of the pulmonary artery catheter should be promptly checked if there is intractable recurrent ventricular arrhythmia.

Keyword

Arrhythmia; Swan-Ganz catheter

MeSH Terms

Arrhythmias, Cardiac*
Catheters*
Coronary Artery Bypass, Off-Pump*
Hemodynamics
Humans
Critical Care
Pulmonary Artery
Specialization