The left atrial catheter: its uses and complications.
The authors describe the radiographic appearance of the left atrial catheter, a widely used postsurgical intracardiac device. Recognition of the characteristic appearance of this catheter should be of value in detection of potential complications, including line fracture with resultant retention and/or embolization, infection, prosthetic valve dysfunction, and even cardiac tamponade.
Leitman
B S
BS
Department of Radiology, New York University Medical Center, NY 10016.
Naidich
D P
DP
McGuinness
G
G
McCauley
D I
DI
D000368:Aged; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D006321:Heart / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006325:Heart Atria; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed