The two-headed swan.
Pulmonary artery catheterization is a frequent procedure for hemodynamic monitoring in critically ill patients or high-risk surgical patients. Mechanical and infectious complications are recognized, though catheter dysfunction and malposition are more frequent and often require clinical intervention. We present the case of a Swan-Ganz catheter with the appearance of a mechanical fracture at the distal end, which required clinical and radiographic investigation to determine the nature of the aberrancy. The evaluation of a malfunctioning pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) is a frequent occurrence in the intensive care unit and requires careful clinical consideration and radiographic examination.
Martin
Greg S
GS
Emory University School of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Horlander
Kenneth T
KT
D002407:Catheterization, Swan-Ganz / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004868:Equipment Failure; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged