An unusual case of pulmonary artery catheter malfunction.
Sudden loss of thermodilution or temperature-monitoring capabilities of an indwelling pulmonary artery catheter may indicate significant damage to the catheter, possibly leading to electrical hazard and infection risk. Blood appearing at the electrical connection port confirms the diagnosis. The catheter, if easily removed, should be replaced as soon as possible.
Manecke
Gerard R
GR
Department of Anesthesiology, University of California San Diego Medical Center, San Diego, California 92103, USA. gmanecke@ucsd.edu
Brown
Jason C
JC
Landau
Allan A
AA
Kapelanski
David P
DP
St  Laurent
Carla M
CM
Auger
William R
WR
D002302:Cardiac Output; D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002407:Catheterization, Swan-Ganz / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004691:Endarterectomy; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D006344:Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D016343:Monitoring, Intraoperative / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation; D013815:Thermodilution