Catheter introducers for rapid fluid resuscitation.

Catheter introducer sets developed for placement of Swan-Ganz catheters are useful as temporary large-diameter lines in hypovolemic patients. The internal diameters of 8 F introducers exceed the diameter of standard intravenous tubing. We compared an 8 F introducer to other catheters and found the introducer had a significantly faster flow rate than did a 14-gauge cannula (P less than .05). Introducers were placed successfully, without any serious complications, in 42 of 47 severely ill patients. Because catheter introducers may be inserted percutaneously into any large vein above or below the diaphragm, they are ideal for rapid fluid resuscitation.