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British Journal of Anaesthesia, 2003, Vol. 90, No. 6 794-796
© 2003 The Board of Management and Trustees of the British Journal of Anaesthesia

Short Communications

A simple method to pass a pulmonary artery flotation catheter rapidly into the pulmonary artery in anaesthetized patients

Z. Szabó

Department of Cardiothoracic Anaesthesia Linköping Heart Centre, University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden*E-mail: zoltan.szabo@lio.se

Background. In some patients passage of a pulmonary artery flotation catheter (PAFC) into the pulmonary artery may be difficult and time consuming and the prolonged manipulation can cause ventricular arrhythmias. A simple clinical method used during general anaesthesia is presented to allow rapid passage of a PAFC into the pulmonary artery.

Methods. The operating table is positioned head up and slightly right side down to position the pulmonary valve at the highest level possible. When the balloon catheter is in the right ventricular outflow tract (indicated by premature ventricular contractions) the ventilator is paused in inspiration and the balloon catheter simultaneously passed into the pulmonary artery.

Results. The manoeuvre shortens the time necessary to pass the catheter into the pulmonary artery and may reduce ventricular arrhythmias. Over 5 yr, 105 PAFCs were inserted with this method without major complications.

Conclusion. This method may reduce the risk of ventricular arrhythmias, and could be particularly useful in high-risk critically ill patients.

Br J Anaesth 2003; 90: 794–6


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