Atrial thrombosis: a near fatal complication of a Portacath

Portacaths (Bard Medical Division, Georgia, USA) are routinely used for central venous access in patients with poor peripheral veins who require regular long-term venous access. Complications associated with central venous access devices, including infection and thrombosis, are well described in the literature; however, to our knowledge there have been few case reports of right atrial thrombi and pulmonary emboli related to implanted ports. This paper discusses the case of a patient who developed an atrial thrombosis 4 months after port placement and subsequent pulmonary emboli.