[Nonsurgical retrieval of intravascular catheter fragments]

The incidence of catheter fragment induced by iatrogenic accident has been increasing because of frequent use of intravenous catheters and catheterization in daily practice. Migrated intravascular fragments from broken catheters were retrieved transcutaneously in four cases. All fragments were removed safely using biotome, multipurpose grasping forceps and basket catheter. But in a case which the fragment was lodged in the pulmonary artery, retrieval was not easy and it took many times. Fragments lodged in the right ventricle and in the pulmonary artery cause many complications including deaths. So broken fragments should be removed as soon as possible, before it migrated to there.