[Rupture and migration of central venous catheter]

In the period 1978-1990, 100 patients (44 males, 56 females) with various pathology, had a catheterisation of a central vein in the Hospital of Susa (TO). Subclavian vein was chosen with a percutaneous infraclavicular route. In 7 cases (7%) there were some mechanical complications, one of them was the accidental breakage of the catheter and its migration to the right heart. The authors describe this case and the possible cure by examining the most recent literature data.