Abstract
Pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) is considered the useful hemodynamic monitoring tool in cardiac surgery and intensive careunit (ICU). Placement of PAC has potential risks of complications, though. A various type of complications have been reported.However, right ventricular perforation by PAC is rare finding. In this case, a 68-year-old woman with rheumatic aortic stenosisand mitral stenosis was planned double valve replacement. PAC was not advanced in pulmonary artery during surgery. Aftertransferred ICU, PAC was advanced into right ventricle (RV) with ballooning. A large amount of bleeding and hemodynamicinstability was developed, and then, reoperation was decided. After median sternotomy, surgeon detected the protruding PACtip from the free wall of RV. Direct suture was performed, and catheter tip was withdrawn back into the RV cavity. It is importantto keep in mind that RV perforation could arise after PAC insertion and PAC should be gently handled.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
