Successful Treatment of Massive Bleeding into the Open Thoracotomy Space by Pulmonary Artery Occlusion: Report of a Case

Abstract

A 69-year-old man underwent decortication and latissimus dorsi muscle transposition for the treatment of chronic empyema in January 2001. The empyema recurred in March 2002, and open drainage was thus started in July 2002. In February 2003, massive hemorrhaging from the thoracic cavity occurred. Tamponade and hemostasis were performed immediately, and angiography revealed bleeding from the pulmonary artery (PA). After identification of the bleeding point, surgical hemostasis was successfully achieved following PA occlusion with a Swan-Ganz thermodilution catheter.