Arch Vessel Injury during Pulmonary Artery Catheter Placement

• Published in: The Annals of thoracic surgery Vol. 39; no. 3; pp. 223 - 224
• Main Authors: Kron, Irving L., Joob, Axel W., Lake, Carol L., Nolan, Stanton P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01-03-1985; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Anesthesia; Anesthesia depending on type of surgery; Anesthesia. Intensive care medicine. Transfusions. Cell therapy and gene therapy; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiac Surgical Procedures; Carotid Artery Injuries; Catheterization - adverse effects; Female; Hemorrhage - etiology; Humans; Medical sciences; Pulmonary Artery; Subclavian Artery - injuries; Thoracic and cardiovascular surgery. Cardiopulmonary bypass; Heart; Human; Vascular disease; Catheterization; Internal jugular vein; Cardiotomy; Surgery; Anesthesia; Complication; Pulmonary artery
• ISSN: 0003-4975; 1552-6259
• DOI: 10.1016/S0003-4975(10)62583-0

We have observed seven instances of unintentional cannulation of major arteries with 8F sheaths during preparation for open-heart operation. When the sheath was removed and the operation delayed, there were no complications; in the two instances in which the open-heart operation was performed immediately after arterial cannulation, there was 1 death due to hemorrhage and 1 false aneurysm of the carotid artery. Elective open-heart operations should be delayed if unintentional cannulation of a major artery occurs.