The axillary vein: an alternative approach for percutaneous pulmonary artery catheterization.

The axillary vein route was investigated prospectively for percutaneous pulmonary artery catheterization in 79 patients who underwent 83 attempts. Forty nine of these patients were tracheostomized and under mechanical ventilation and eight had hemostasis disorders. Successful catheterization was achieved 74 times in the 79 patients. Pulmonary artery was reached within 6 +/- 2.1 min after the catheter was set in place in the axillary vein. Less than 1 min was needed in 53 cases. Puncture of the axillary artery was noted in 11 patients without complication. No other significant complication was noted following the punctures. Mean duration of catheterizations was 3.6 +/- 2 days. No septicemia was related to the catheterization procedure. One thrombosis of the axillary vein was noted. Catheterization of the pulmonary artery via the axillary vein is safe, simple and reliable and can represent an alternative method should the use of other routes be unsuccessful.