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Updated: May 21, 2026
06:59
Catheter-based Endovascular Angioplasty for Fibrosing Mediastinitis-associated Pulmonary Vein Stenosis
Published on: August 26, 2025
Port-a-cath embolisation to pulmonary artery
Vijaya Raj Bhatt1, Shilpi Gupta, Joseph Lowry
1Department of Medicine, Staten Island University Hospital, Staten Island, New York, USA. vrbhatta@gmail.com
BMJ Case Reports
|June 13, 2012
Summary
Catheter embolization, a rare complication of implanted ports, can cause severe issues. This case highlights successful percutaneous extraction of an asymptomatic pulmonary artery catheter embolus.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Interventional Radiology
- Medical Devices
Background:
- Intravascular catheter embolization is an uncommon but serious complication associated with totally implanted port devices.
- These events can lead to significant cardiovascular, pulmonary, and septic complications, with a reported mortality rate of 1.8%.
Observation:
- An asymptomatic patient was incidentally found to have a pulmonary artery catheter embolus during a positron emission tomography scan.
- The embolization involved a catheter, likely from a previously used medical device.
Findings:
- The patient presented with an asymptomatic catheter embolus in the pulmonary artery.
- Successful percutaneous extraction of the embolized catheter was performed.
Implications:
- Percutaneous extraction offers a viable treatment option for intravascular catheter embolization, potentially preventing severe complications.
- This case underscores the importance of vigilance and timely intervention in managing rare device-related complications.
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