Stripping the catheter: A new device for an old technique

Area of Science:

• Vascular Surgery
• Interventional Radiology
• Oncology

Background:

• Fibroblastic sleeve, a fibrous-collagen tissue encasing venous access devices, is a common cause of catheter malfunction.
• Current management options for fibroblastic sleeve-induced dysfunction lack consensus, especially for patients with contraindications to surgical removal.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of successful port catheter salvage in an oncological patient with a fibroblastic sleeve.
• To demonstrate the efficacy of a minimally invasive stripping technique using an off-label device for managing catheter-related complications.

Main Methods:

• A case report of an oncological patient with port catheter malfunction due to fibroblastic sleeve.
• Treatment involved a minimally invasive stripping technique utilizing the ClotTriever system, an off-label device for mechanical thrombectomy.

Main Results:

• The ClotTriever system effectively resolved the fibroblastic sleeve, restoring port catheter function.
• The minimally invasive approach was suitable for a patient with a high bleeding risk, avoiding surgical port removal.

Conclusions:

• Minimally invasive stripping with the ClotTriever system presents a viable alternative for managing fibroblastic sleeve-induced venous access device malfunction.
• This technique offers a safe and effective option for high-risk patients when surgical intervention is contraindicated.