Journal of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine
DOI: 10.3233/NPM-180159
Received 3 October 2018; Revised 5 February 2019; Accepted 28 March 2019
© 2019 – IOS Press and the authors
Percutaneous retrieval of fractured
intravascular catheters in premature infants
Author
A. Rothman, V. Jaiswal, W.N. Evans, H. Restrepo,
A. Galindo
Source
Abraham Rothman,
MD, Children's Heart Center Nevada, 3006 S. Maryland Parkway, Suite # 690, Las
Vegas, NV 89109, USA.
Tel.: +1 702 732
1290; Fax: +1 702 732 1385
E-mail address:
arothman@childrensheartcenter.com
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Premature infants often require long-term indwelling intravascular catheters.
Occasionally, catheters
fracture and
migrate into cardiovascular structures, risking perforation, infection,
thrombosis, and interference with cardiac
and valve
function. This case series describes our experience with percutaneous retrieval
of broken intravascular catheters.
METHODS: A
gooseneck micro-snare was used to retrieve fractured catheters in four
premature infants, weighing between
840 and 1930
grams.
RESULTS: All
procedures were successful without complications.
CONCLUSIONS:
Gooseneck-snare retrieval of broken indwelling intravascular catheters can be
performed safely and
successfully in
premature infants even those that weigh less than 1000 grams.