OBJECTIVE: Central venous access is an increasingly frequent procedure and intravenous catheter fractures and fragments embolization, although being rare, correspond to the most common intravascular foreign bodies. This study purpose is to show our experience in the removal of these foreign bodies employing endovascular techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of ten consecutive cases in the last five years, including patients with ages ranging from 9 months to 67 years. RESULTS: The procedure was successfully performed in all the cases by means of different techniques and with no complication. Most common fragments lodgement sites were: right atrium, superior vena cava and left pulmonary artery. The retrieval of these foreign bodies by means of endovascular techniques is a relatively simple procedure when compared to the surgical alternative, and has been safely and successfully performed in countless patients. The available devices have proven quite effective and, among them, the loop snare is the most versatile. CONCLUSION: The high success rate with few complications reported, even in children, allows us to say that, whenever possible, intravascular foreign objects percutaneous extraction should be performed.2 Notwithstanding, familiarization with the several techniques available is essential, allowing combinations and modifications, according to each situation.
Agradeço primeiramente à minha Orientadora Prof.ª Dr.ª Elaine Ribeiro de Faria e ao meu Co-orientador Prof. Dr. Ricardo Cerri, que me ajudaram a formular as ideias por trás deste trabalho. Agradeço ao Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência da Computação da UFU pela oportunidade de participar do curso. Agradeço também aos meus amigos Tiago e Junício, que sempre acompanharam com otimismo o progresso deste trabalho.
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