A severe complication of J-tip guide wire during catheterization: A case report and discussion

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Vascular Surgery
• Medical Device Complications

Background:

• Tunneled cuffed venous catheterization is a common procedure for long-term venous access.
• Complications, though infrequent, can be severe and require specialized management.
• Guidewire entrapment is a rarely reported but significant risk.

Observation:

• A case of J-tip guidewire entrapment in the right atrium during tunneled cuffed venous catheterization is presented.
• Standard guidewire removal techniques were unsuccessful in this case.
• The unique structure of the guidewire contributed to the difficulty in removal.

Findings:

• Surgical intervention was ultimately necessary for the safe removal of the entrapped J-tip guidewire.
• The case underscores the limitations of current methods for managing guidewire entrapment.
• The specific characteristics of the guidewire complicated the extraction process.

Implications:

• There is a critical need to develop and discuss safer methods for J-tip guidewire removal in cases of cardiac entrapment.
• This case highlights the importance of anticipating and preparing for rare but serious procedural complications.
• Improved techniques could reduce the need for invasive surgical procedures in such scenarios.