Haemoptysis following insertion of a Swan-Ganz catheter.

Haemoptysis occurred in a patient in whom a Swan-Ganz catheter was inserted for the induction of anaesthesia for hemicolectomy. It is suggested that acute pulmonary hypertension, superimposed on existing chronic pulmonary hypertension, superimposed on existing chronic pulmonary hypertension associated with mitral stenosis, was an important aetiological factor in the haemoptysis.