[Pulmonary thromboembolic complications of catheterization using the Swan-Ganz catheter]

Twenty-two adult patients who had required catheterization with a Swan-Ganz catheter and had thrombosis of the internal jugular vein were investigated for pulmonary embolism. In 4 of these, pulmonary embolism was detected by angiography, and 2 patients who died with the catheter in situ had also pulmonary embolism. In 5 out of these 6 patients prophylactic heparin treatment failed to prevent this complication. This study suggests that the Swan-Ganz catheter placement is indicated only when the value of the information to be gained exceeds the potential risk.