A retained broken segment is an uncommon but feared complication of central venous catheters (CVCs). Although the embolised fragment may result in catheter dysfunction, arrhythmia, pulmonary symptoms, thrombosis, vascular stenosis, infections, and sepsis, the majority of cases remain asymptomatic. How to recover such fragmented CVC was described in a recently published case study.A...

A retained broken segment is an uncommon but feared complication of central venous catheters (CVCs). Although the embolised fragment may result in catheter dysfunction, arrhythmia, pulmonary symptoms, thrombosis, vascular stenosis, infections, and sepsis, the majority of cases remain asymptomatic. How to recover such fragmented CVC was described in a recently published case study.

A 38-year-old woman was transferred to OT for an awake craniotomy and tumour removal. Under ultrasound guidance and with appropriate local anaesthetic skin infiltration, the right internal jugular vein was catheterized using a 7 French triple lumen CVC. Following confirmation of blood flow in all three lumens, the catheter was attached to the skin using 3-0 non-absorbable monofilament nylon sutures. The patient maintained a sinus rhythm throughout the surgery.

The tip of the CVC was verified to be in the right atrium by examination of the standard chest radiograph done in the immediate postoperative period. The patient complained of discomfort at the suture site of the CVC on the first postoperative day. When the dressing was removed to allow for a more thorough examination of the location, it was discovered that the catheter had separated from the flanges but could not be identified subcutaneously. After consulting with cardiologists, the decision was taken to extract the catheter tip through the right femoral vein. The patient was transported to the Cath lab after obtaining informed consent, and fluoroscopy revealed that the distal section of the catheter from the flanges had been severed and dislodged into the right heart. A 15-mm Amplatz Goose Neck® snare was placed into the right femoral vein and the fragment was retrieved from the right ventricle under image intensifier guidance.

A fractured catheter is a rare yet serious complication that occurs in fewer than 0.1 percent of patients. Catheter fragmentation may occur as a result of mechanical shearing stress or from the application of excessive force during inserting or withdrawing the catheter. In this situation, fragmentation might have occurred as a result of a manufacturing fault. The fragmented catheter may move and get lodged in the vena cavae, right atrium, right ventricle, pulmonary artery, and distal branches, resulting in catheter blockage, cardiovascular or pulmonary impairment, cardiac arrest, or sudden death.

A fragmented intravascular device may be recovered either open thoracotomy or a less invasive percutaneous endovascular method, the latter of which results in a speedier recovery and a decrease in overall morbidity and mortality. These procedures include a variety of percutaneous apparatus, including snares, tip deflecting wires, and baskets, to retrieve foreign bodies. The snare is the most common of them, since it kinks less due to its elastic manufacture. Occasionally, thoracotomy is necessary when both ends of the catheter are fastened or entrapped, making grasping difficult. Although endovascular retrieval requires specialised equipment and skill, it is an effective and safe procedure.

Menon, Gokuldas,; Jacob, Riya Ann; Padmakumar, Devi; George, Mathew Fragmentation of central venous catheter - A rare but dreaded complication, Indian Journal of Anaesthesia: April 2022 - Volume 66 - Issue 4 - p 309-311

Dr Monish Raut is a practising Cardiothoracic-Vascular Anesthesiologist. His clinical work is also enriched with his numerous academic publications in various national and international indexed journals. He has a keen interest in latest medical researches and updates particularly in critical care medicine, cardiology and anaesthesiology.

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