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Knotting of a flow-directed catheter about a cardiac structure
Catheterization and Cardiovascular Diagnosis
|January 1, 1977
Insights
A flow-directed catheter knotted around heart structures, but removal via surgery was too risky due to severe lung disease. The catheter remained in place for 16 months with no apparent harm.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Devices
Background:
- Flow-directed catheters are common in cardiac procedures.
- Intracardiac complications, such as knotting, can occur with catheter use.
- Tricuspid valve apparatus involvement presents unique challenges.
Abstract:
An instance of knotting of a flow-directed catheter about an intracardiac structure, presumably part of the tricuspid valve apparatus, is described. Because of the patient's severe pulmonary disease, cardiac surgery to remove the catheter was contraindicated. The central portion of the catheter was allowed to remain in situ, without apparent ill effects over a 16 month period.