Late embolization of an unfractured port catheter into the heart: report of a case.

This case report describes the embolization of an unfractured venous port catheter, 18 months after its implantation into the heart. To our knowledge, this complication has never been documented before. A 33-year-old woman underwent placement of a totally implantable venous access port for chemotherapy to treat advanced gastric cancer. The catheter tip was repositioned by a transfemoral sling after dislocation into the right jugular vein 2 months before embolization. After embolization into the heart, the catheter was successfully removed by a percutaneous femoral vein approach using a dormia basket. As totally implantable venous access ports become used more frequently, problems associated with their extended use will be encountered.