Thromboembolic Complications with the Indwelling Balloon-Tipped Pulmonary Arterial Catheter

Abstract

FLOW-directed balloon-tipped catheters for monitoring circulatory hemodynamics in critically ill patients have become increasingly used.¹ Reported complications include atrial and ventricular dysrhythmias,² rupture of the balloon,² clot formation on the catheter tip,² knotting,³ hemoptysis,⁴ and perforation of the pulmonary artery.⁵ In the case described below thrombus formation on a damaged area of endothelium in the pulmonary artery was associated with the use of a balloon-tipped catheter; subsequent pulmonary emboli and infarction were probably related to this complication.Case ReportsCase 1. A 54 year-old woman was admitted to Stanford University Hospital because of severe progressive cardiac failure. Physical examination revealed . . .