Final answer:
Non-heparinized pulmonary artery catheters can pose risks of bloodstream infections and pulmonary embolism.
Step-by-step explanation:
The risk of non-heparinized pulmonary artery catheters is that they can lead to bloodstream infections. According to the World Health Organization, there are up to 80,000 catheter-related bloodstream infections each year in the US, resulting in about 20,000 deaths. Infections can be introduced to the bloodstream via contaminated catheters, dental procedures, piercings, or wounds.
When a blood clot forms in the deep vein of the legs (known as deep vein thrombosis or DVT), one of the major risks is that it can break off and travel through the blood vessels to the pulmonary arteries, causing a pulmonary embolism (PE). PE can have serious consequences, ranging from lung damage to instant death, due to the disruption of the pulmonary circulation.
In summary, non-heparinized pulmonary artery catheters pose a risk of bloodstream infections and can lead to pulmonary embolism if a blood clot forms and travels to the pulmonary arteries.