title: Knot in the cava--an unusual complication of swan-ganz catheters.
abstract: Complications associated with the use of the Swan-Ganz catheters including coiling and knotting of the catheter in the central venous system or in the chambers of the heart, often with disastrous consequences. We report a case of knotting of a Swan-Ganz catheter in the superior vena cava which necessitated surgical removal via the right internal jugular vein.
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Surgery, Royal Free Hospital, Hampstead, London NW3 2QG, UK. drnitinbb@yahoo.co.uk
authors.forename: N B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Bagul
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Menon
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pathak
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Platts
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hamilton
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002407:Catheterization, Swan-Ganz / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects*; D020878:Device Removal; D004868:Equipment Failure; D006501:Hepatic Encephalopathy / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007601:Jugular Veins / Q000601:surgery; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D011859:Radiography; D014683:Vena Cava, Superior; D016748:Venous Cutdown