Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 10, 2026

The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation
23:33

The WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device for Atrial Fibrillation

Published on: February 28, 2012

Echocardiographic detection of a retained left atrial catheter

A Win, J O Pastore, D Coletta

    American Heart Journal
    |January 1, 1980
    PubMed

    Insights

    A retained left atrial catheter caused a cerebral embolism in a cardiac surgery patient. Echocardiography diagnosed the retained catheter, necessitating surgical removal and highlighting the need for baseline echocardiograms in similar cases.

    Area of Science:

    • Cardiovascular Surgery
    • Diagnostic Imaging
    • Neurosurgery

    Background:

    • Cardiac surgery patients often require indwelling catheters for hemodynamic monitoring.
    • Accidental retention of these catheters can lead to serious complications.
    • Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for patient outcomes.

    Observation:

    • A retained left atrial catheter was suspected after neurological signs of cerebral embolism appeared.
    • Echocardiography confirmed the catheter's presence within the left atrium.
    • Repeat thoracotomy was required for the catheter's removal.

    Findings:

    • The retained left atrial catheter was the source of the cerebral embolism.
    • Prompt echocardiographic evaluation was key to diagnosing the retained catheter.
    • Surgical removal of the retained catheter resolved the complication.

    Implications:

    • Baseline echocardiograms are recommended for cardiac surgical patients with indwelling left atrial catheters.
    • Echocardiography plays a vital role in diagnosing retained catheter complications.
    • Preventing catheter retention and ensuring complete removal are critical in postoperative care.

    More Related Videos

    Echocardiographic Evaluation of Atrial Communications before Transcatheter Closure07:41

    Echocardiographic Evaluation of Atrial Communications before Transcatheter Closure

    Published on: February 8, 2022

    Three-Dimensional Modeling of the Left Atrium and Pulmonary Veins with a Precise Intracardiac Echocardiography Approach04:29

    Three-Dimensional Modeling of the Left Atrium and Pulmonary Veins with a Precise Intracardiac Echocardiography Approach

    Published on: June 30, 2023

    Related Concept Videos

    Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System II:Types of Echocardiography01:20

    Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System II:Types of Echocardiography

    Echocardiography plays a role in assessing cardiac health and detecting heart conditions, with various types providing critical insights for diagnosis and treatment.
    Types of Echocardiography
    Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE)
    TTE is the most common type of echocardiogram which involves placing a transducer on the patient's chest, emitting sound waves to create heart images. TTE is invaluable for evaluating the heart's size, structure, and motion, making it particularly useful for diagnosing...
    Cardiac Catheterization I: Pre-Procedure Overview01:28

    Cardiac Catheterization I: Pre-Procedure Overview

    Cardiac catheterization is an invasive diagnostic technique used to identify and evaluate structural and functional diseases of the heart and major blood vessels. This technique diagnoses congenital heart disease, coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, and coronary spasms and assesses ventricular function. It helps guide treatment decisions, including the need for revascularization procedures like percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and...
    Cardiac Catheterization II: Right Heart Catheterization01:21

    Cardiac Catheterization II: Right Heart Catheterization

    Right Heart Catheterization: An OverviewRight heart catheterization is an invasive diagnostic procedure that measures right-sided cardiac and pulmonary artery pressures, calculates cardiac output, and identifies intracardiac shunts. It provides detailed hemodynamic data essential for diagnosing and managing various cardiovascular conditions, such as pulmonary hypertension.Access SitesCommon access sites for right heart catheterization include the internal jugular vein in the neck region, the...
    Cardiac Catheterization III: Left Heart Catheterization01:24

    Cardiac Catheterization III: Left Heart Catheterization

    Left heart catheterization is an invasive diagnostic procedure used to evaluate the function and structure of the left side of the heart. It is generally performed to diagnose and treat cardiovascular conditions such as valve abnormalities, coronary artery disease, and congenital heart defects.Diagnostic and therapeutic purposesLeft heart catheterization serves various diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, including:Assessing coronary artery bypass grafts.Evaluating coronary artery disease in...
    Mitral Stenosis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests01:23

    Mitral Stenosis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests

    Mitral stenosis is a heart condition in which the mitral valve, which allows blood to flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle, becomes narrowed or stenotic. This narrowing hinders blood flow and leads to clinical symptoms requiring specific medical evaluations and management strategies. The following overview outlines the clinical symptoms, assessments, diagnostic findings, prevention methods, and treatments for mitral stenosis.Clinical ManifestationsDyspnea (shortness of breath): This...
    Aortic Regurgitation II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests01:22

    Aortic Regurgitation II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests

    Aortic valve regurgitation (AR) occurs when the aortic valve fails to close properly, allowing blood to flow backward from the aorta into the left ventricle. This backflow can result in two distinct clinical presentations: acute and chronic AR, each characterized by its own set of symptoms and physical findings.Acute Aortic RegurgitationAcute AR presents with a sudden onset of severe symptoms. Patients typically experience profound dyspnea (shortness of breath), chest pain, and signs of left...