Complications of Swan-Ganz catheterization for hemodynamic monitoring in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage

Neurosurgery. 1995 Nov;37(5):872-5; discussion 875-6. doi: 10.1227/00006123-199511000-00004.

Abstract

Invasive hemodynamic monitoring has become standard in the management of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. This study is a retrospective analysis of 630 Swan-Ganz catheters placed in 184 patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Evaluation of complications demonstrated a 13% incidence of catheter-related sepsis (81 of 630 catheters), a 2% incidence of congestive heart failure (13 of 630 catheters), a 1.3% incidence of subclavian vein thrombosis (8 of 630 catheters), a 1% incidence of pneumothorax (6 of 630 catheters), and a 0% incidence of pulmonary artery rupture. In the management of patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, invasive hemodynamic monitoring continues to be an important tool with acceptable complications.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aneurysm, Ruptured / physiopathology*
  • Bacteremia / etiology
  • Catheterization, Swan-Ganz / adverse effects*
  • Catheterization, Swan-Ganz / instrumentation
  • Critical Care
  • Equipment Failure
  • Heart Failure / etiology
  • Hemodynamics / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Intracranial Aneurysm / physiopathology*
  • Monitoring, Physiologic / instrumentation*
  • Pneumothorax / etiology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Staphylococcal Infections / etiology
  • Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / physiopathology*
  • Subclavian Vein
  • Thrombosis / etiology