Hemoptysis and pneumothorax after removal of a persistently wedged pulmonary artery catheter.

Significant resistance was encountered when an attempt was made to withdraw a persistently wedged pulmonary artery catheter. A small amount of air was injected into the balloon lumen with great difficulty. This injection freed the catheter which was removed, but produced significant sudden hemoptysis and a pneumothorax. The etiology of this complication and guidelines to avoid it are presented.