[Late rupture of central catheter implanted through subclavian route]

A 68-year-old woman with a subcutaneous reservoir and central venous catheter implanted in the left subclavian vein for chemotherapy developed a late fracture of the catheter 220 days after implantation, with migration of the distal fragment to the pulmonary artery. After diagnosis of the complication, the distal fragment had to be removed by radiologic intervention and the reservoir was withdrawn. The need for central venous treatments, whether for definitive parenteral nutrition or prolonged antibiotic infusion, pain therapy, chemotherapy or, lately, for hemodialysis has made the placement and use of implantable systems a routine procedure for anesthesiology services. However, such techniques are not free of multiple complications, some of which are serious and which may be caused by poor technique during insertion of the catheter. We consider careful selection of the point of subclavian vein insertion to be important. The scheduling of follow-up chest films is also crucial for ruling out a "pinch-off phenomenon".