Key result
A totally implanted venous access system fractured and embolized to the right ventricle 12 months after implantation in a 24-year-old male patient.
Case Report (n=1)
Highlights the rare but potentially serious complication of catheter fracture and embolization to the right ventricle in patients with totally implanted venous access systems.
Warrants vigilance for late fracture in long-term implanted ports; single case leaves open incidence and prevention needs.
A totally implanted venous access system was placed in a 24-year-old male patient with Hodgkins disease for chemotherapy. Twelve months after implantation it was noted on chest x-ray that the catheter had fractured and the distal fragment embolized to the right ventricle. Catheter separation and embolization is a recognized but uncommon complication of Hickman catheters. It is an even rarer complication of implanted central venous catheters. With the increasing use of these new venous access systems this complication may become a more prevalent, but an avoidable complication.
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Franey et al. (1988) conducted a case report in Hodgkins disease (n=1). Totally implanted venous access system was evaluated on Catheter fracture and embolization. A totally implanted venous access system fractured and embolized to the right ventricle 12 months after implantation in a 24-year-old male patient.
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