Research Information System
DIAGNOSTIC AND INTERVENTIONAL IMAGING, vol.96, no.11, pp.1227-1230, 2015 (SCI-Expanded)
Central venous port catheters and peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC lines) are implanted in the central venous system usually for administration of chemotherapeutic agents and parenteral nutrition [1,2]. Long-term use of these catheters may cause such complications as occlusion, thrombosis, infection, fracture and intravascular dislocation of the catheter [2,3]. The incidence of intravascular dislocation of port catheters is rare( 0-3.1%) [1,3]. Fragments of a fractured port catheter might migrate towards the heart or pulmonary artery and cause embolization in the distal region of the organ resulting in mortality [1,4]. Therefore, port catheter fragments must be retrieved as soon as possible[ 1]. Percutaneous retrieval, removal by open thoracotomy and long-term anticoagulant therapy are the treatment options for fractured port catheters. Among these options, percutaneous transcatheter retrieval is usually a safe and effective method [1,5]. In this study, we report the retrieval of port catheter fragments extending from the superior vena cava to the right cardiac cavities using a three-loop 6F 12-20 mm snare( Atrieve Vascular Snare (TM); Angiotech, Gainesville, FL, United States) in two patients who complained of chest pain.