Use of pulmonary artery pressure and pacing catheter during PTCA

A balloon-tipped pacing catheter capable of monitoring pulmonary artery pressure and providing standby right ventricular pacing was used in 20 percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasties (PTCAs), without complication. The catheter was easily inserted in all cases (mean 85 sec) and achieved satisfactory pacing threshold in 17 patients (mean 7.5 ma). The design of this catheter theoretically reduces the risk of right ventricular perforation and tamponade, which may be increased during PTCA.