title: Hemoptysis and pneumothorax after removal of a persistently wedged pulmonary artery catheter.
abstract: Significant resistance was encountered when an attempt was made to withdraw a persistently wedged pulmonary artery catheter. A small amount of air was injected into the balloon lumen with great difficulty. This injection freed the catheter which was removed, but produced significant sudden hemoptysis and a pneumothorax. The etiology of this complication and guidelines to avoid it are presented.
mesh_terms: D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006469:Hemoptysis / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011651:Pulmonary Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011669:Pulmonary Wedge Pressure; D011859:Radiography