Real-time echocardiography: a new technique to facilitate Swan-Ganz catheter insertion.

Real-time echocardiography was used to position a pulmonary artery catheter in a septic child in whom the usual placement methods were not successful. This technique to facilitate pulmonary artery catheter placement avoids radiation, is portable and allows direct visualization of intracardiac catheter orientation. When smaller children and infants undergo pulmonary artery catheterization at the bedside, real-time echocardiography may allow catheter insertion when the usual techniques have failed.