[The pinch-off syndrome: main cause of catheter embolism].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the incidence of the pinch-off syndrome (POS) in catheter fracture and embolism.


METHODS
Retrospective clinical study.


METHODS
The medical files of 56 patients who had since 1989 an embolized fragment or entire catheter removed by an interventional radiologic procedure have been retrospectively analysed.


METHODS
A POS was considered the causative factor when a chest X-ray showed a rupture of the catheter at the site of the costoclavicular space.


RESULTS
From 1989 to the end of 1996, 56 catheter embolisms by fracture or disconnection occurred in our institution. The rupture from a POS was the main cause of embolism (24 patients out of 56). The incidence was 8/1000 of implanted ports inserted via a subclavian access [95% confidence interval: 4/1000-13/1000]. Preliminary clinical or radiologic signs of pinching existed in 50% of POS: difficult insertion, radiologic compression aspect, arm or shoulder pain, infusion rate and/or reflow depending on arm position.


CONCLUSIONS
POS was the first cause of catheter embolism and should suggest the use of an alternative way for insertion instead of the subclavian access. When a catheter is inserted via a subclavian route, clinical and/or radiologic signs of POS require its removal.
Ouaknine-Orlando
B
B
Département anesthésie-analgésie-réanimation, Institut Gustave-Roussy, Villejuif, France.
Desruennes
E
E
Cosset
M F
MF
De Baere
T
T
Roche
A
A
D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004617:Embolism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D004868:Equipment Failure; D006801:Humans; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013350:Subclavian Vein; D013577:Syndrome