Journal of cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesia
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Jun 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialImpact of patients' positions on the incidence of arrhythmias during pulmonary artery catheterization.
The complication of cardiac arrhythmias during pulmonary artery catheterization (PAC) may be related to the position of the patient. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the effects of patients' positions on incidence of arrhythmias and the time required to place the pulmonary artery catheter. ⋯ Adjusting patients in the head-up and right lateral position while passing the PAC can reduce the incidence of severe arrhythmias, but not in the time taken to place it. This position may have clinical implications, particularly in high-risk patients.