Carr ME Jr. catheter embolization from implanted venous access devices: case reports. J Vasc Dis 1989;40:319-323.

Two cases of catheter embolization from implanted venous access devices are reported and the available literature is reviewed. The catheter from an implanted venous access device migrated into the right heart after slippage of the O-ring, which attaches the catheter to the infusion port. The distal 6 cm of an infusion port catheter embolized to the right heart after spontaneous fracture of the catheter at the point where it passed between the clavicle and first rib. Both catheters were removed percutaneously without complication. …In summary, 5 cases of catheter embolization from implanted venous access devices have now been reported. Risk factors include slippage of the O-ring on implanted venous access catheters and kinking of the catheter with infusion port devices. Both abnormalities may be visible on x-ray films taken prior to embolization and should be specifically sought when chest roentgenograms are obtained in these patients. Abstracted from ANGIOOGY, the Journal of Vascular Disease.

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