[Endocavitary removal of catheter fragments which had migrated into central cardiac cavities]

Five cases of endocavitary recovery of embolised fragments of catheter are reported. In three cases, the Dotter apparatus was used with a percutaneous approach. In the other two cases, a Dormia catheter was introduced after surgical venous cut-down. The embolised catheters were all recovered successfully in periods ranging from 10 minutes to 1 hour. Local anaesthetic was used in one case. The interval between initial rupture and recovery of the catheter ranged from several hours to 2 months. No complications occurred during or after these manoeuvres. This is a simple, rapid, and economical method which may save the patient from thoracic surgery, and should always be kept in mind.