THE IMPACT OF IATROGENIC EMBOLISATION AND ENDOVASCULAR REMOVAL OF A FRACTURED CENTRAL VEIN CATHETER ON THE HEALTH RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE (HRQOL)

Iatrogenic embolisation of the right ventricle of the heart by a fragment of one of the most basic ICU devices, which has fractured and detached the central vein catheter, is rarely described in subject literature. Removing such an element from the heart is highly risky and requires the use of very modern techniques and equipment. The Atrieve Vascular Snare™ was employed in the described patient. Therefore, it is necessary to present this process and its effectiveness through an evaluation of the health related quality of life (HRQoL) associated with the perception of health status by those patients. This is a requirement in modern medicine. The main aim of this paper was to evaluate the HRQoL after this embolisation. A 67-year-old patient was referred to the Vascular Surgery Department with Endovascular Interventions Ward, John Paul II Hospital in Kraków, after the defragmenting of the central vein catheter and replacement to the right ventricle of the heart. An endovascular approach through the right common femoral vein (RCFV) under local anesthesia of the groin was chosen as the preferred method for removing the broken catheter fragment. The right ventricle of the heart was reached using a 18-30mm Atrieve Vascular Snare™. A structure consisting of three loops facilitated the quick grasp and removal of the catheter fragment at the first attempt through the RCFV. Despite the short time needed for the procedure, the patient experienced periprocedural ventricular fibrillation (VF) with the necessity of defibrillation. After one successful defibrillation attempt, sinus rhythm was restored. The post-operative course showed no complications whatsoever, and the patient was sent to the General Surgery Ward in order for a new Hickman catheter to be implemented and further parenteral nutrition treatment to be carried out. The endovascular technique with the use of Atrieve Vascular Snare™ is an effective method which was used in the case of our patient under local anesthesia. It provides for the fast, safe and convenient removal of a disrupted and dislocated catheter fragment. It allows one to improve the patient’s HRQoL not only in the short term, but also in the longitudinal (6 months after surgery) follow up.