Catheter-induced pulmonary arterial trauma: can it always be averted?

Catheter-induced pulmonary arterial hemorrhage is a serious and still recurring complication. This report describes our experience with 200 cases managed successfully by a prophylactic approach to the problem. The technique involves partial withdrawal of the pulmonary arterial catheter into a sterile protective sleeve during cardiopulmonary bypass and subsequent reinsertion when the normal circulation is restored.