Arteriography in catheter-induced rupture of the pulmonary artery

Rupture of the pulmonary artery is a potential complication of the use of a Swan-Ganz catheter. We report a single case in which the site of rupture was visualized on a postmortem arteriogram, but was not apparent on a contrast radiograph performed prior to death, presumably due to inadequate filling of the arterial tree with contrast. Awareness of the value of a properly performed arteriogram may allow a lifesaving lobectomy or pneumonectomy.