Percutaneous retrieval of broken silastic catheter from the left atrium in a critically Ill premature infant

A critically ill premature neonate (birthweight 1,395 g, gestational age 30 wk) had a broken silastic catheter lodged in the left atrium. We successfully retrieved the foreign body by percutaneous approach using a helical basket catheter under echocardiographic control. Such a therapeutical option for a broken, lightly radiopaque catheter has not been previously described in very low birthweight, critically ill infants.