Fatal haemothorax following large-bore percutaneous cannulation before liver transplantation
- Resource Type
- Academic Journal
- Authors
- Jankovic, Z.; Boon, A.; Prasad, R.
- Source
- BJA: British Journal of Anaesthesia. Oct 01, 2005 95(4):472-476
- Subject
- Language
- English
- ISSN
- 0007-0912
Percutaneous bypass catheters are routinely used for veno-venous bypass (VVBP) during orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). The recognized risks include bleeding, injury of vascular and nerve structures and lymphatic leakage. We describe a case where there were difficulties during catheterization and the patient suffered a cardiac arrest on commencing VVBP. Post-mortem examination revealed the bypass catheter tip in the pleural space and a large right haemothorax. Possible mechanisms of vascular perforation and preventative measures are discussed.