Late embolization of an unfractured port catheter into the heart: report of a case.
This case report describes the embolization of an unfractured venous port catheter, 18 months after its implantation into the heart. To our knowledge, this complication has never been documented before. A 33-year-old woman underwent placement of a totally implantable venous access port for chemotherapy to treat advanced gastric cancer. The catheter tip was repositioned by a transfemoral sling after dislocation into the right jugular vein 2 months before embolization. After embolization into the heart, the catheter was successfully removed by a percutaneous femoral vein approach using a dormia basket. As totally implantable venous access ports become used more frequently, problems associated with their extended use will be encountered.
Klinik für Viszeral- und Transplantationschirurgie, Carl-Neuberg-Strasse 1, 30623 Hannover, Germany.
Matthias
M
Behrend
Eleni
E
Paboura
Rudolf
R
Raab
D000328:Adult; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects*; D020878:Device Removal; D005260:Female; D005548:Foreign-Body Migration; D006801:Humans; D015918:Infusion Pumps, Implantable / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy