Delayed fatal pulmonary hemorrhage complicating use of a balloon flotation catheter.

A case of delayed fatal pulmonary hemorrhage caused by a balloon flotation catheter is described. The catheter was inserted preoperatively. The patient died on the 14th postoperative day from massive hemorrhage in the right pleural space after 12 days without any clinical symptoms. Pulmonary artery rupture is documented by the autopsy findings.