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Article
Pulmonary artery catheter knotting in a coronary artery bypass surgery patient
Journal of Pakistan Medical Association
  • Mohammad Irfan Akhtar, Aga Khan University
  • Mohammad Hamid, Aga Khan University
  • Fazal Hameed Khan, Aga Khan University
  • Hamid Iqil Naqvi, Aga Khan University
  • Amar Gangwani, Aga Khan University
Publication Date
1-1-2007
Document Type
Article
Disciplines
Abstract

A fifty seven years old female patient came to operating room for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. After induction, invasive monitoring lines were placed. Pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) floated after three attempts and it was wedged at 60cm. Intra operative course was smooth and patient transferred to cardiac intensive care unit (CICU). First chest X-ray revealed PAC knotting in the right ventricle. Vascular surgeon was involved and he removed it through right internal jugular vein under fluoroscopic guidance. Pulmonary arterial catheterization is an invasive procedure. Knotting usually occurs due to excessive advancement of the pulmonary artery catheter beyond the normally expected distance. The removal of a catheter should never be forced when resistance is encountered. PA catheter knotting is a rare complication but it should be suspected whenever there is excessive length of catheter required to reach pulmonary artery.

Citation Information
Mohammad Irfan Akhtar, Mohammad Hamid, Fazal Hameed Khan, Hamid Iqil Naqvi, et al.. "Pulmonary artery catheter knotting in a coronary artery bypass surgery patient" Journal of Pakistan Medical Association Vol. 57 Iss. 10 (2007) p. 519 - 521
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/fazal_hameed/29/