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[Removal of catheter fragments from the heart and central venous vascular sections]
Insights
Floating catheter use is increasing, leading to rare but important complications. Catheter fragments can travel to the heart or pulmonary artery, requiring specialized removal techniques.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Devices
- Interventional Radiology
Background:
- The increasing utilization of the floating catheter technique necessitates a thorough understanding of its potential complications.
- Previously rare complications associated with floating catheters are now gaining practical significance due to widespread use.
Observation:
- This report details three cases where fragments of floating catheters embolized to the right heart or pulmonary artery.
- In one instance, a retained catheter fragment was successfully retrieved from the right heart using a percutaneous approach with a novel instrument.
Findings:
- Catheter fragment embolism is a recognized, albeit infrequent, complication of the floating catheter technique.
- Percutaneous retrieval is a viable option for managing intracardiac foreign bodies like catheter fragments.
Implications:
- The optimal management strategy for intracardiac catheter fragments, particularly when percutaneous retrieval fails, remains an area for further investigation.
- Enhanced awareness and specialized instrumentation are crucial for addressing these rare but serious complications in interventional cardiology.
Abstract:
The floating catheter technique is much more frequently used than before. So far, relatively rare complications become of practical importance. A report is given on three cases in which catheter fragments were cut off and floated into the right heart or pulmonary artery. In one case, the fragment was removed from the right heart after percutaneous insertion of a specially devised instrument similar to a myocardial bioptome. The question does not seem to be settled as yet, whether or not surgical interventions are indicated, when a fragment cannot be removed by these techniques.