Two cases of fracture of the subcutaneous implant type central venous catheter used for cancer chemotherapy

Abstract

We experienced two cases of fracture of the subcutaneous implant type central venous catheter (Bard Access Systems) implanted in the right subclavian vein for chemotherapy, which was considered to be caused by compressive crush, which are reported here. Case I was a male in his 60's suffering from liver metastases of sigmoid colon cancer, with a catheterization period of 216 days, and the catheter tip had aberrantly migrated into the peripheral pulmonary artery. Catheter intervention (CI) was attempted, but the catheter could not be removed due to loss of mobility. Case II was a male in his 70's suffering from liver metastases of sigmoid colon cancer, with a catheterization period of 818 days, and the catheter tip had aberrantly migrated into the left pulmonary artery. The catheter was removed with catheter intervention under fluoroscopic guidance. In both Cases I and II, the fracture was determined to have been caused by compressive crush, because the fracture plane of the catheter was crushed. It is considered that the risk of fracture should be kept in mind for patients in whom this same type of catheter is implanted.