What is a primary concern if a pulmonary artery catheter becomes wedged?

The primary concern when a pulmonary artery catheter becomes wedged is the possibility of pulmonary infarction. When a catheter is wedged in a pulmonary artery, it can block blood flow to the area of lung tissue that it supplies. This results in a lack of oxygen to that tissue, leading to ischemia and potentially causing a segment of the lung to die or become infarcted.

Infarction of lung tissue can lead to serious complications, including respiratory distress and reduced gas exchange, which can have significant consequences for the patient's overall condition. Timely identification and correction of a wedged catheter scenario is crucial to prevent these outcomes and maintain adequate pulmonary function. Other options, while they may relate to cardiac or pulmonary issues, do not carry the same immediate and serious risk associated with a wedged pulmonary artery catheter.