Swan-Ganz catheter-induced tricuspid regurgitation during pneumoperitoneum for laparoscopic cholecystectomy

The occurrence of Swan-Ganz (S-G) catheter-induced tricuspid regurgitation (TR) was investigated using transesophageal echocardiography in four patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy with 12-mmHg pneumoperitoneum. Before pneumoperitoneum, TR was not detected in any of the four patients, despite the presence of an inserted S-G catheter; however, it was detected after completion of 12-mmHg pneumoperitoneum in one of the four patients. This TR was diminished after depneumoperitoneum and the employment of a retraction method by which the intra-abdominal pressure became equal to the atmospheric pressure. This TR was not recognized after the removal of the S-G catheter during 12-mmHg pneumoperitoneum in the same patient. There is a possibility that the S-G catheter induces TR during 12-mmHg pneumoperitioneum.