Abstract

OBJECTIVE: In this pictorial essay, we discuss and illustrate normal and aberrant positioning of the cardiovascular support and monitoring devices frequently used in critically ill patients, including central venous catheters, pulmonary artery catheters, left atrial catheters, transvenous pacemakers, automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillators, intraaortic counterpulsation balloon pump, and ventricular assist devices, as well as their inherent complications.
CONCLUSION: The radiographic evaluation of the support and monitoring devices used in patients in the ICU is important, because the potentially serious complications arising from their introduction and use are often not clinically apparent. Familiarity with normal and abnormal radiographic findings is critical for the detection of these complications.

Links

Publisher Full Text

Authors

Godoy MC, Leitman BS, de Groot PM, Vlahos I, Naidich DP

Institution

Department of Diagnostic Radiology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd, Unit 371, Houston, TX 77030, USA. MGodoy@mdanderson.org

Source

AJR. American journal of roentgenology 198:3 2012 Mar pg 572-81

MeSH

Catheterization, Central Venous
Catheterization, Swan-Ganz
Defibrillators, Implantable
Heart-Assist Devices
Humans
Intensive Care Units
Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumping
Pacemaker, Artificial
Radiography, Thoracic

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Review

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22357995