Continuous-wave Doppler echocardiography was used to estimate pulmonary artery pressures by measuring pulmonary regurgitant flow velocity in 21 patients with pulmonary hypertension (mean pulmonary artery pressure greater than or equal to 20 mm Hg) and 24 patients without pulmonary hypertension. The pulmonary regurgitant flow velocity patterns, characterized by a rapid rise in flow velocity imme...

Utilizing new materials and miniaturization techniques, an ultraminiature catheter pressure transducer for catheterization of the pulmonary artery (PA) has been developed and applied in intact, spontaneously breathing, anesthetized rats. The catheter arrangement consists of three components: 1) an SPR-671 ultraminiature pressure transducer (measuring catheter), 2) a plastic introducer (sheath) ...

Purpose The placement of a pulmonary artery catheter sometimes needs long time by observing the pressure wave, and several factors have been reported to hinder the placement. In the present study, we examined whether enlargement of the aortic root is associated with longer time for the placement. Method We examined the time required for the catheter placement. The catheter placement time was ...

A case of postoperative pulmonary artery catheterisation complicated by knotting of the catheter (Swan-Ganz) within the superior vena cava is described. The catheter was cut off at the skin entry site. The remainder, together with the knot, was pulled out through a purse string incision in the superior vena cava.

A 59-YEAR-OLD MAN with severe aortic stenosis presented for valve replacement surgery. After uncomplicated induction of anesthesia, an introducer was placed into the left internal jugular vein, through which a pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) was easily directed into the pulmonary artery on the first attempt. The intraoperative course was uneventful. On postoperative day 1 in the intensive care ...

Dear Editor, Pulmonary artery catheter is widely used in cardiovascular surgical practice. Various complications of the Swan-Ganz catheter during insertion, its long-term placement, or removal are well known since its introduction.1-5 Herein, we report a case of the inadvertent fracture of an entrapped Swan-Ganz catheter during its attempted removal with moderate external traction. A 36-year-ol...