[Incidence of thrombi in implantation of pulmonary artery catheters].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the occurrence of thrombi in introducers employed for pulmonary artery catheterization.


METHODS
prospective study.


METHODS
cardiac Surgery ICU in a University Hospital.


METHODS
three groups of 20 subjects each: in group A, undergoing mitral or aortic valve replacement, a pulmonary artery catheter was placed through an introducer; in group B, undergoing myocardial revascularization, a pulmonary artery catheter was placed through an introducer; in group C, undergoing myocardial revascularization, only an introducer was placed.


METHODS
The introducers were removed between the 2nd and the 8th postoperative day and the external surface and the lumen were inspected for thrombi.


RESULTS
Endoluminal thrombi were observed in 40% of the introducers, but the patency of the lumen was always maintained. The incidence of thrombi was significantly higher in group A (23% in aggregate) than in group B (10%; p < 0.05) and in group C (6%; p < 0.05); by contrast no significant difference was observed between groups B and C.


CONCLUSIONS
Endoluminal thrombi are very frequent in introducers employed for pulmonary artery catheterization but they are hardly suspected since the patency of the lumen is usually preserved. The lower incidence of thrombosis in groups B and C could hypothetically originate from antiaggregant therapy started within 24 hours from the end of surgery for myocardial revascularization.
Cavaliere
F
F
Istituto di Anestesiologia e Rianimazione, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma.
Guarneri
S
S
Scapigliati
A
A
Bello
G
G
Neroni
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002407:Catheterization, Swan-Ganz / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*