Complications of the flow-directed pulmonary-artery catheter

In order to determine and analyze the complication rate of the insertion and maintenance of the balloon-tipped, flow-directed pulmonary artery catheter (PAC), the authors prospectively studied the use of 320 catheters in 219 critically ill patients. Mean patient age was 53 +/- 1 years, and 36% had a history of cardiovascular disease. Mean duration of catheterization averaged 76 +/- 3 h. Major complications occurred in 3% of catheterizations. These included six pneumothoraces; three arrhythmias requiring treatment, one of which was fatal; and one subclavian vein thrombosis. Site complications occurred more frequently in catheters maintained longer than 72 h. These findings suggest that, when indicated in the care of critically ill patients, the properly placed and maintained PAC has an acceptably low morbidity and mortality rate, particularly when used for 72 h or less.