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Updated: Sep 22, 2025
Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 26, 2013
Percutaneous endovascular removal of a broken port-a-catheter from right atrium using manual made snare
Muhammad Azeemuddin1, Anosha Khan2, Iflah Ansari3
1Department of Radiology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.
Insights
Fracture and migration of a port-a-catheter is a rare complication. This case highlights successful percutaneous removal of a fragmented catheter from the right atrium, preventing life-threatening issues.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Interventional Radiology
- Oncology
Background:
- Port-a-catheter devices are used for long-term central venous access, commonly in cancer patients.
- Catheter fracture and migration are rare but serious complications, potentially leading to severe cardiac events.
Observation:
- A 67-year-old female patient with a history of bilateral breast cancer developed a fractured port-a-catheter.
- Imaging revealed the fragmented catheter had migrated into the right atrium.
Findings:
- The fractured port-a-catheter was successfully retrieved from the right atrium using percutaneous endovascular techniques.
- No immediate complications were observed post-procedure.
Implications:
- Percutaneous endovascular intervention is an effective and safe treatment for migrated central venous catheters.
- Early diagnosis and intervention can prevent severe cardiovascular complications associated with catheter embolization.
Abstract:
Fracture and migration of port-a-catheter, following long term access into the central venous vasculature is a rare clinical scenario. The consequences of fracture and migration includes fragmented device relocating into the right atrium or ventricle, eventually causing life threatening complications such as arrhythmias, pseudoaneurysms, perforations or very rarely embolization. We report a case of a 67-year-old female with a broken port-a-catheter which had been placed initially for chemotherapy for bilateral breast cancer. Chest radiograph showed the fragmented catheter had migrated to the right atrium; which was successfully removed via percutaneous radiological endovascular intervention. No immediate post procedure complication was noted.
