Swan-Ganz-Induced Pulmonary Artery Rupture: Management With Stent Graft Implantation

Pulmonary artery catheterization is a useful tool for the diagnosis and management of lung or cardiac disease. This procedure is considered safe and associated with a low incidence of major complications. However, pulmonary artery rupture during right heart catheterization, albeit rare, remains a severe complication. Despite modern management with metal-coil embolization, selective intubation and deployment of bronchial blocker, the mortality rate may be as high as 50%. In this case, we report a new approach to deal with a Swan-Ganz-induced pulmonary artery rupture based on stent graft implantation leading to successful sealing of the pulmonary perforation with final patency and normal antegrade blood flow in the pulmonary branch. (c) 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.