Right ventricular perforation: a rare complication of pulmonary artery catheterization

J Coll Physicians Surg Pak. 2014 Nov:24 Suppl 3:S166-8.

Abstract

A 70 years old male underwent Coronary Artery Bypass and Graft (CABG) surgery. After induction, a Pulmonary Artery Catheter (PAC) was inserted via right IJV with some difficulty in achieving PA tracing. During distal RCA anastomosis, surgeon noticed PAC tip coming out of Right Ventricular (RV) surface. Resistance was felt on trying to pull PAC, so it was left there. Cardiac surgeon then opened the Right Atrium (RA) and pulled out the catheter. Multiple attempts during insertion of PA catheter should always raise the suspicion of PAC tip slipping back into the RV. It should be closely monitored during surgery and communicated to the surgeon.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Catheterization, Swan-Ganz / adverse effects*
  • Catheters / adverse effects*
  • Coronary Artery Bypass
  • Heart Ventricles / diagnostic imaging
  • Heart Ventricles / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Monitoring, Intraoperative
  • Pulmonary Artery / diagnostic imaging
  • Pulmonary Artery / surgery*
  • Pulmonary Embolism / therapy*
  • Therapeutics
  • Ultrasonography