[Heart trauma caused by central venous catheter (author's transl)]

Four cases of extensive traumatic lesions of the right atrium induced by central venous catheter, are reported. In one case there was beginning in the other complete perforation of the right atrium. Such lesions can be caused by horizontal fixation of the intracardiac portion of a catheter due to wall-adherent thrombi; catheters held near the coronary sinus by a so-called Chiari net; or by coiling of the catheter within the atrium. Central venous catheters often cause endothelial lesions and thrombotic changes in the veins near the heart. Possible trauma to the right atrium, which could provoke fatal complications (e. g. haemopericardium or arrhythmias) must, therefore, be given special attention.