Percutaneous Extraction of a Catheter Fragment of Totally Implantable Venous Device Migrating into the Left Pulmonary Artery

Abstract

Totally implantable venous devices (TIVDs) are usually utilized for venous access for chemotherapy of cancers. Fracture and migration into the left pulmonary artery of catheter fragment are a potentially severe and rare complication. We present a case of an asymptomatic patient who had this complication. Percutaneous retrieval is now the standard of care. We discuss, through this observation, the usefulness of this technique used an intravascular snare to capture and secure the catheter fragment and we concluded that it is generally advisable to retrieve this foreign body even in asymptomatic patients.