title: The left atrial catheter: its uses and complications.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, New York University Medical Center, NY 10016.
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Leitman
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Naidich
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: McGuinness
authors.forename: D I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: McCauley
mesh_terms: 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