[Intracardiac persistence of pericatheter fibrin sheath in a newborn: case report]

One of the complications related to central venous catheters is the so-called "fibrin sheath or sleeve", the persistence of this structure after central venous catheter removal is uncommon, especially within a cardiac chamber. A neonate with symptoms of infection and portal vein thrombosis with suspected umbilical catheter fragment retained in right atrium was consulted for possible removal by catheterization. Prior to the procedure, the echocardiography findings guided us to the diagnosis of persistent fibrin sheath. The procedure was discontinued and the patient received anticoagulant therapy and antibiotics. In our case, echocardiography was useful in confirming the diagnosis of retained fibrin sheath and rule out the presence of residual central venous catheter after its removal, thereby avoiding an unnecessary and invasive procedure.