Incidence of thrombi in implantation of pulmonary artery catheters
Cavaliere, F.; Guarneri, S.; Scapigliati, A.; Bello, G.; Neroni, S.
Minerva Anestesiologica 65(1-2): 39-43
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0375-9393 PMID: 10206035 Document Number: 499722
To evaluate the occurrence of thrombi in introducers employed for pulmonary artery catheterization. prospective study. cardiac Surgery ICU in a University Hospital. three groups of 20 subjects each: in group A, undergoing mitral or aortic valve replacement, a pulmonary artery catheter was placed through an introducer; in group B, undergoing myocardial revascularization, a pulmonary artery catheter was placed through an introducer; in group C, undergoing myocardial revascularization, only an introducer was placed. The introducers were removed between the 2nd and the 8th postoperative day and the external surface and the lumen were inspected for thrombi. Endoluminal thrombi were observed in 40% of the introducers, but the patency of the lumen was always maintained. The incidence of thrombi was significantly higher in group A (23% in aggregate) than in group B (10%; p < 0.05) and in group C (6%; p < 0.05); by contrast no significant difference was observed between groups B and C. Endoluminal thrombi are very frequent in introducers employed for pulmonary artery catheterization but they are hardly suspected since the patency of the lumen is usually preserved. The lower incidence of thrombosis in groups B and C could hypothetically originate from antiaggregant therapy started within 24 hours from the end of surgery for myocardial revascularization.