[Transvenous retrieval of central embolized fragments of venous catheters (author's transl)]

The industrial supply with complete venous catheter sets facilitated central venous techniques via various peripheral venous entries. The complication rate by pneumothorax, hemothorax, hemopericardium after perforation of a cardiac cavity and central embolism of catheter fragments are rather rare. Nevertheless the indication for central venous catheterization procedures should be calculated critically in every case because of the hazard of venous thrombosis and embolism or sepsis, which occurs more often. Perforation of a cardiac cavity by venous catheters leads to lethal sequelae in more than 60%. Central embolism of venous catheter fragments without perforation is followed by serious complications in most cases. Therefore the retrieval of the embolized fragment should be attempted by trasvenous technique or by thoracotomy. For the transvenous retrieval a special forceps or the transvenous Dotter retrieval set were very useful in our experience. Centrally embolized catheter fragments were drawn back in three patients after transcutaneous puncture via the femoral vein with two-plane X-ray control.