2018 Volume 22 Issue 1 Pages 61-65
Objectives: Over-insertion of the pulmonary artery catheter can cause serious complications. This study investigated the difference in estimated recommended-site insertion length of the pulmonary artery catheter in the immediately postoperative period versus the insertion length on postoperative day 1.
Methods: After approval by the Ethics Committee of Osaka Medical College, we performed a retrospective observational study in 46 patients who had undergone on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. The recommended-site insertion length of the pulmonary artery catheter was defined as the length from the sixth thoracic vertebra to the right hilum, as measured on thoracic radiographs. The insertion length of the pulmonary artery catheter on a thoracic radiograph taken immediately postoperatively was compared with the insertion length on a thoracic radiograph taken in the intensive care unit on postoperative day 1. The correlation between the change in the insertion length and the change in the cardiothoracic ratio was calculated.
Results: The insertion length of the pulmonary artery catheter on postoperative day 1 was significantly greater than that in the immediately postoperative period. There was no correlation between the change in the insertion length and the change in the cardiothoracic ratio.
Conclusion: The recommended-site insertion length of the pulmonary catheter was greater on postoperative day 1 than on the day of surgery. This change was not caused by the increased cardiothoracic ratio.
