Central Venous Catheter Migration Into Pleura Diagnosed by Transesophageal Echocardiography

Semin Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2024 Dec;28(4):230-234. doi: 10.1177/10892532241294186. Epub 2024 Oct 21.

Abstract

Central venous catheter (CVC) tip migration is a well reported delayed complication of these vascular access devices with left-sided internal jugular or subclavian vein placement being the primary risk factor for this complication. We report a case of left internal jugular CVC migration and its diagnosis made by the heretofore unreported use of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography in this context. Moreover, we describe risk factors for CVC migration along with its diagnosis and management.

Keywords: cardiac anesthesia; central venous catheter; central venous catheter complication; critical care; transesophageal echocardiography.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Catheterization, Central Venous* / adverse effects
  • Catheterization, Central Venous* / methods
  • Central Venous Catheters* / adverse effects
  • Echocardiography, Transesophageal* / methods
  • Foreign-Body Migration* / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Jugular Veins / diagnostic imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pleura / diagnostic imaging