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Untangling a Knotted Angiographic Catheter Using a Balloon Catheter: A Case Report
Motonori Takahagi1, Haruyuki Takaki1, Hiroyuki Yokoyama1
1Department of Radiology, Hyogo Medical University, Japan.
Insights
A knotted catheter during an angiographic examination was successfully untangled using a novel balloon catheter technique. This interventional radiology method resolved a critical complication, allowing the procedure to continue.
Area of Science:
- Interventional Radiology
- Vascular Surgery
Background:
- Angiographic examinations are crucial for diagnosing conditions like hepatocellular carcinoma.
- Catheterization procedures carry inherent risks, including mechanical complications such as knotting.
Observation:
- A 4-French (4-Fr) catheter became tightly knotted in the descending aorta during an angiographic examination in a 66-year-old man.
- Standard procedures were insufficient to immediately resolve the catheter knot.
Findings:
- A noncompliant balloon catheter was introduced via the contralateral femoral artery into the knotted loop.
- Inflation of the balloon catheter from within the knot loosened it significantly.
- The knotted catheter was successfully untangled, enabling the continuation of the planned examination.
Implications:
- This case demonstrates a minimally invasive technique for managing complex catheter knotting during angiography.
- The successful untangling highlights the utility of specialized devices in interventional radiology for resolving procedural complications.
- This approach may prevent the need for more invasive surgical interventions in similar scenarios.
Abstract:
When a 66-year-old man with hepatocellular carcinoma underwent an angiographic examination, a 4-Fr catheter was inserted from the right femoral artery. It became tightly knotted in the descending aorta. To untangle the knotted catheter, a noncompliant balloon catheter was delivered into the knotted loop from the contralateral femoral artery. After the balloon catheter was inflated from the inside of the knotted loop, the knot became loose. Finally, the knotted catheter was untangled. Subsequently, the remainder of the examination was performed as initially planned.
