SWAN-GANZ CATHETER-INDUCED PULMONARY-ARTERY PERFORATION DURING CARDIAC-SURGERY CONCERNING 2 CASES

Two case reports describing patients having cardiac operations under e xtra corporeal circulation are presented. At the completion of the ope ration, a massive hemoptysis occurred in both patients after a Swan-Ga nz catheter had perforated the pulmonary artery. A hemostasis lobectom y was then immediately required. The immediate and long term prognosis seems satisfactory. This is an unusual but serious complication. The incidence of this complication varies between 0.06 and 0.2%. The more frequently related risk factors include people over the age of 60, pul monary artery hypertension, anticoagulant therapy, hypothermia and man ipulation of the heart by the surgeon. When this accident occurs, many authors suspect the balloon. An early diagnosis is essential in the c ase of a major or even a minor hemoptysis, because this complication m ay be a lethal one as the mortality rate may reach 50%. According to u s, the appropriate therapy which would reduce this mortality rate is a surgical one (hemostasis lobectomy).