Approach to fragmented central venous catheters

Prolonged venous access devices are needed in cancer patients for central venous access. Catheter fragmentation leading to catheter malfunction represents a rare problem. Herein we present our experience in the management of fragmented catheters. Between 2001 and 2003, 183 catheters were placed via...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inVascular Vol. 13; no. 2; p. 120
Main Authors Yildizeli, Bedrettin, Laçin, Tunç, Baltacioğlu, Feyyaz, Batirel, Hasan F, Yüksel, Mustafa
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England 01.03.2005
Subjects
Adult
Catheterization, Central Venous
Child
Equipment Design
Equipment Failure
Female
Foreign Bodies - diagnosis
Foreign Bodies - therapy
Humans
Iatrogenic Disease
Male
Middle Aged
Radiography
Retrospective Studies
Subclavian Vein - diagnostic imaging
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Summary:Prolonged venous access devices are needed in cancer patients for central venous access. Catheter fragmentation leading to catheter malfunction represents a rare problem. Herein we present our experience in the management of fragmented catheters. Between 2001 and 2003, 183 catheters were placed via the subclavian vein, and five cases of fragmented catheters were observed. Fragments were removed by an Amplatz gooseneck snare (Microvena, St. Paul, MN) with angiographic intervention. The diagnosis of the breakage was made by chest radiography. The incidence of catheter breakage was 2.7%. All fragments were removed by the snare, without any complications. Catheter narrowing and breakage owing to its medial positioning in the subclavian vein were the main causes of catheter malfunction. In any case of catheter malfunction, radiologic evaluation of the catheter must be done to rule out its rupture. Removal of the fragments using the Amplatz snare is a safe and easily applied procedure.
ISSN:1708-5381
DOI:10.1258/rsmvasc.13.2.120