title: An unusual cause of ventricular tachycardia: Port-A-Cath fracture and embolization into the pulmonary artery.
abstract: We describe the case of a patient with a previously placed Port-A-Cath who was admitted to hospital for new onset of non-flushing catheter and palpitations with ventricular tachycardia. A chest X-ray and a linogram showed a Port-A-Cath fracture and distal embolization into the right ventricle resulting in ventricular tachycardia. The catheter was removed percutaneously using a Goose Neck snare with no complications and resolution of the ventricular tachycardia. The removed segment demonstrated thrombus. Prompt removal of the embolized catheter fragments should be undertaken given the subtle nature of the embolization and the potential complications.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, St. Boniface Hospital, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba - Canada.
authors.forename: Anthony W A
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Wassef
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, St. Boniface Hospital, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba - Canada.
authors.forename: Malek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kass
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, St. Boniface Hospital, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba - Canada.
authors.forename: Gurpreet
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Parmar
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, St. Boniface Hospital, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba - Canada.
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ravandi
keywords: Percutaneous retrieval; Port-a-cath fracture; Ventricular tachycardia