Transvascular Removal of Catheter Fragments from the Heart and Great Vessels

Transvascular (nonsurgical) Removal of Catheter Fragments from the Heart and Great Vessels. The increasing use of indwelling intravenous catheters for therapeutic and monitoring purpose, has led to numerous incidences of accidental breakage or shearing with subsequent embolism of broken end to the area of the heart. Because many of these patients are seriously ill with other disease, the surgical approach to removal of catheter fragments carries considerable risk, especially if thoracotomy is neccessary. The catheter fragments embolize to the great vessels or the heart and can give rise to fatal complications. It is therefore advisable that the catheter fragments should be removed promptly and this may be done by transvascular technique. We report two patients who had intravascular catheter fragments removed using an easily made catching device fashioned from a 0.018 inch steerable guide wire for PTCA and Judkins catheter. The device is easily manupulated and facilitates safe removal of catheter fragments