[Catheter induced rupture of a proximal pulmonary artery caused by vigorous coughing in a spontaneously breathing patient].

A complication is occurred during insertion of a pulmonary artery catheter in a 73-year-old woman with class III NYHA cardiac failure. After easy insertion of the catheter, massive haemoptysis developed as the patient coughed while the balloon of the catheter was inflated. Despite prompt emergency measures, the patient did not survive. Autopsy revealed a 2.7-cm perforation of the proximal pulmonary artery with penetration into the right lower lobe bronchus. This complication and its prevention are discussed.