A lower-lobe-seeking pulmonary artery catheter

The Grollman pulmonary artery catheter was modified by turning the pigtail downward to facilitate lower lobar catheterization with the femoral approach. The advantage of this tip configuration was obvious in the 30 cases in which it was attempted. The superiority of this catheter in traversing the tricuspid valve and in entering the right or left pulmonary artery with equal ease was also noted.