Percutaneous Retrieval of Dislodged Chemo Port Catheter With Inaccessible Tips by a Simplified Technique

Abstract

Central venous port catheters (CVPCs) are commonly employed for long-term chemotherapy. One of the rare complications associated with CVPCs is catheter fracture and further embolization of the fragmented segment into the heart. The most common site of embolization is the superior vena cava-right atrium (RA) junction. However, infrequently, the catheter may embolize further distally into the right ventricle (RV) and beyond making the fragmented tips difficult to access directly with a snare. Here, we report a case wherein both the catheter tips were lodged in the RV cavity forming a loop in the RA. This necessitated the use of a modified technique to retrieve the fragment percutaneously.

An unusual cause of chest pain

“…One of the rare complications of a Port‐A‐Cath placement is its fracture and displacement into the heart. The most common site of displacement is at the superior vena cava‐right atrium junction, and it can further embolize into the right ventricle 1 . This complication is rare, with a reported incidence of 0.4%–1.8% and 66% of patients developing the fracture within 1 year 2 .…”