Pulmanary Artery Rupture with Pulmoanry Artery Catheter / 대한마취과학회지

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.