title: Catheter fragments embolization.
abstract: Although the use of central venous silicone catheters is widespread, little is known about the incidence of catheter rupture and embolization. Over a three-year period, 3916 silicone catheters were inserted in 3672 patients in the authors' hospital. Catheter or catheter fragments embolism occurred in 4 patients (1.2 embolizations per 1000 patients treated). Inappropriate mechanical deobstruction attempts resulted in 2 embolizations, and hence, these should be avoided. Chest roentgenography failed to detect the small fragments within the heart silhouette in 2 cases. Two-dimensional echocardiography showed the separated catheter fragment in all 4 cases. All four catheter fragments were subsequently removed from the right-heart chambers.
authors.affiliation: Emergency Room and Intensive Care Unit, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France.
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Monsuez
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Douard
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Martin-Bouyer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004452:Echocardiography; D004617:Embolism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005548:Foreign-Body Migration; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*