Korean J Vasc Endovasc Surg.  2013 Feb;29(1):28-31. 10.5758/kjves.2013.29.1.28.

Spontaneous Fracture and Embolization of Implantable Venous Access Device in Breast Cancer Patient

• Kim YS
• Kim EY
• Park WC

• KMID: 1430461
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5758/kjves.2013.29.1.28

Abstract

Totally implantable venous access devices (chemoports) are used increasingly in oncology patients to provide simple and durable access for intravenous delivery of drugs and fluids. However, these catheters are associated with a number of complications, such as infection, thrombosis, and stenosis. Fracture of a venous catheter is also a rare complication, known as "pinch-off syndrome." A 43-year-old female with breast cancer was presented with chest pain of one week's duration after undergoing placement of a chemoport for adjuvant chemotherapy. Her chest X-ray showed that a portion of the catheter had broken free and was lodged in the right ventricle. The embolic fragment was successfully retrieved via percutaneous femoral vein insertion of a snare.

Keyword

Breast neoplasms; Catheters; Fracture

MeSH Terms

Breast
Breast Neoplasms
Catheters
Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
Chest Pain
Constriction, Pathologic
Female
Femoral Vein
Fractures, Spontaneous
Heart Ventricles
Humans
SNARE Proteins
Thorax
Thrombosis
SNARE Proteins