[A life-threatening arrhythmia (ventricular tachycardia) triggered by a Swan-Ganz catheter in a patient with the WPW syndrome]

Anaesthesist. 1991 Jan;40(1):47-8.
[Article in German]

Abstract

The induction of dysrhythmias during or after pulmonary artery catheterization is a serious complication in critically ill patients. The following case presentation reports the incidence of life-threatening ventricular tachycardia after catheterisation in a patient known to have Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW)-Syndrome. The dysrhythmia began during repositioning of the patient 10 h after placement of the catheter. Attempted inversion by administration of Ajmalin was unsuccessful. Removal of the catheter resulted in prompt cessation of the dysrhythmia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Catheterization, Swan-Ganz / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Tachycardia / etiology*
  • Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome / complications
  • Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome / physiopathology*