A new catheter for detection and treatment of venous air embolism. Technical note.

The authors report the successful application of the No. 8 French multi-orifice flow-directed catheter designed for pulmonary angiography in the monitoring and treatment of venous air embolism during neurosurgical procedures. Delays in operating room time were reduced with this technique, which ensures rapid and precise placement of a right atrial central line and which also eliminates the need for a chest film as a method of confirming placement of the central line in the right atrium. The flow-directed guidance system permits reliable introduction of the catheter via any central venous access route, including the basilic vein, and eliminates the usual difficulties associated with placement of conventional single-orifice polyethylene catheters. No complications associated with placement of this catheter into the right atrium have occurred in 20 cannulations.