Experimental use of an illuminated and magnetic tip, flow-directed pulmonary artery catheter for lung resection

The authors performed a study to design and evaluate a device giving the su rgeon added protection against pulmonary artery injury in a closed thoracic compartment. Eleven swine were used for a total of 12 lobectomies. A light -bearing, magnetic-tipped, modified Swan-Ganz catheter was passed through t he jugular vein into the left pulmonary artery. By using magnetic guidance through a port site and balloon inflation, cessation of flow in the pulmona ry artery was documented by Doppler. Twelve video-assisted lobectomies were performed. Nine of 12 (75%) lobectomies were completed successfully by usi ng the magnetic-tipped, illuminated balloon catheter. In 4 cases, the cathe ter displaced because of the short left main pulmonary artery in swine. In one case, the balloon was recovered, and successful lobectomy was performed . The use of a magnetic-tipped, flow-directed device may provide an effecti ve means of endovascular control during thoracoscopic pulmonary arterial di ssection.