one potential complication that may have led to less use of PACs is pulmonary artery rupture. this complication, although infrequent, can have catastrophic implication. the mean overall incidence of a pulmonary artery rupture is 0.01% to 0.47%; however, mortality has been reported at between 50% and 75% in patients taking anticoagulants. perforation of the pulmonary artery may occur during insertion of the catheter or subsequent wedging. patients who are elderly, have pulmonary hypertension, and/or are being treated with anticoagulants may present greater risk.
pulmonary artery systolic and diastolic pressures are monitored