Endovascular Removal of Foreign Bodies: Single Center Experience

Catheter rupture or displacement is a serious and rare complication of central venous catheterization, with an incidence of approximately 1%. Once the intravascular foreign body is found, it should be removed as soon as possible. This study investigated the safety and efficacy of endovascular techniques for the removal of intravascular foreign bodies. This was a retrospective analysis of 23 patients with intravascular foreign bodies admitted to our hospital from January 2009 to June 2019 summarizing the types and locations of foreign bodies and the removal techniques. Overall Twenty-three cases of intravascular foreign bodies were successfully treated with endovascular techniques, for a technical success rate of 100%. The types of foreign bodies included 14 infusion port catheters (60.9%), 6 peripherally inserted central catheters (26.1%), 2 temporary deep vein catheters (8.7%), and 1 intravenous stent (4.3%). The most common orientation of foreign body displacement was one end of the foreign body in the inferior vena cava and the other end in the right atrium (14/23, 60.9%). In terms of technique, all patients underwent removal procedures with only one venous access point. The operative time ranged from 6 to 153 min, with an average of 28.7 min. This study preliminarily demonstrates the safety and efficacy of percutaneous interventional intravascular foreign body removal. Endovascular techniques are minimally invasive and reliable and can be used to safely and effectively remove intravascular foreign bodies.