Arch vessel injury during pulmonary artery catheter placement.
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.
D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D020212:Carotid Artery Injuries; D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D011651:Pulmonary Artery; D013348:Subclavian Artery / Q000293:injuries*