An Uncommon Complication of a Common Procedure

Area of Science:

• Vascular Surgery
• Interventional Radiology
• Patient Safety

Background:

• Secure endovascular access is crucial for patient diagnosis and treatment.
• Peripheral venous catheters are commonly used for endovascular access, generally considered low-risk.
• Despite low risk, serious complications associated with peripheral catheterization can occur.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a rare case of peripheral catheter migration.
• To document the migration of a peripheral catheter to the left pulmonary artery.
• To highlight this complication in an immunosuppressed patient.

Main Methods:

• Case report detailing a rare clinical event.
• Review of diagnostic and treatment procedures for endovascular access.
• Focus on complications associated with peripheral catheter use.

Main Results:

• A rare instance of peripheral catheter migration was observed.
• The catheter migrated to the left pulmonary artery.
• The patient was immunosuppressed, potentially influencing complication risk.

Conclusions:

• Peripheral catheter migration, though rare, can lead to severe complications.
• Immunosuppression may be a factor in the occurrence of such rare events.
• Vigilance in monitoring endovascular devices is essential for patient safety.