Ventricular tachycardia secondary to Port-a-Cath fracture and embolization.
Distal embolization of a fractured indwelling venous access catheter is a known, but rare, complication of these common devices. We report a case of possibly life-threatening tachydysrhythmia caused by an embolized portion of catheter from a totally implanted venous access catheter. Our discussion focuses on review of the literature on the typical presentation and management of this entity, as well as a brief discussion on prevention and risk factors for developing this complication.
Denny
Mark A
MA
Madigan-University of Washington Affiliated Emergency Medicine Residency, Madigan Army Medical Center, Fort Lewis, Washington, USA.
Frank
Leonard R
LR
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004562:Electrocardiography; D017128:Embolectomy / Q000379:methods; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005549:Foreign-Body Reaction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D015918:Infusion Pumps, Implantable / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013350:Subclavian Vein; D017180:Tachycardia, Ventricular / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery