Mechanical complications after central venous catheter repair: A case series

Repair is an established method of line salvage and treatment for mechanical complications of the external component of long-term tunneled central venous catheters (CVCs). In this Clinical Observations article, the endoluminal metal stent of the repair segment was found to be dislodged and migrated toward the patient, representing a risk for CVC malfunction and embolization into the patient, thus requiring CVC replacement. All four patients required long-term parenteral nutrition for intestinal failure. In two cases, the stent migration was noticed by the caregiver, whereas the other two were discovered after the line was removed. Dislodgment of the metal stent used in CVC repair kits is a rare, although potentially dangerous, complication. Providers caring for patients with long-term tunneled CVCs should be aware of this potential risk.