title: [Nonsurgical technique for removal of catheter fragments in the heart and the great vessels].
abstract: With the widespread use of intravenous polyethylene or silicone elastomer catheters for continuous infusion of fluids and drugs and monitoring central venous pressure, loss of catheter fragments into the central circulation has become an increasing problem. These catheter fragments have been removed from all areas of the right side circulatory system by various techniques not requiring thoracotomy. Many kinds of instruments for nonsurgical removal of these fragments have been utilized. The majority of them have been accomplished using a loop snare or a helical basket. As with loop snares and baskets, a free end of fragments is necessary for fragment entrapment. In this report the authors describe four cases with catheter fragments in the heart or the great vessels and a new nonsurgical technique using a "forceps with three or two grasping prongs for endoscope" for their removal. In the first case, we could remove the embolized catheter fragment without accessible free ends in the pulmonary artery by this method. This special forceps with two grasping prongs was applicable even for the infant and could be inserted through a No. 8 French Cordis catheter introducer. This method is extremely promising for removal of catheter fragments in the central circulatory system.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002319:Cardiovascular System; D002404:Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography