Background:

Use of a pulmonary artery catheter (Swan-Ganz) has been discussed because it does not offer changes in the mortality of critically ill patients; however, it is still a useful tool for hemodynamic monitoring.

Objective:

To offer an alternative in the placement of Swan-Ganz catheter by ultrasound in less time and without complications.

Material and methods:

A pilot, prospective, observational, cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted. Placing 26 patients with various pathologies that required aminergic or inotropic delivery, a pulmonary artery catheter; evaluating placement times and associated complications after placement.

Results:

A mean of 91.46 seconds of placement (range of 60-122 seconds) was obtained after insertion of the tip of the catheter by venodisection and 0% of complications in 26 patients.

Discussion:

The use of ultrasound offers an alternate method of placement of the catheter without fluoroscopy support, monitoring curves or intracavitary pressures; and reduces complications.

Conclusions:

The placement of Swan-Ganz by ultrasound is an alternative and safe method for placement with an average time of 91 seconds in its insertion. A larger sample is required to determine if the method is effective and perhaps a multicenter study.