Use of a pacing pulmonary artery catheter during cardiac surgery.

The Swan-Ganz Pacing TD Catheter with cardiac pacing capabilities was evaluated in 65 patients who underwent a cardiac operation. The catheter was inserted quickly and easily with minimal patient discomfort. Before initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass, atrial pacing was achieved in 89.2% of the patients, ventricular pacing in 93.8%, and sequential pacing in 87.7%. After termination of bypass, atrial pacing was achieved in 84.6% of the patients, ventricular pacing in 93.8%, and sequential pacing in 81.5%. Pacing thresholds were well within the current outputs of commercially available external pulse generators. No complications that could be attributed to the Swan-Ganz Pacing TD Catheter occurred in this series of patients.