Transluminal removal of an embolized venous catheter fragment with coronary angioplasty tools.

Central venous catheterization has become an important technique for the diagnosis and management of patients requiring intensive medical care. The use of devices to perform this procedure has been accompanied by a corresponding increase in complications. The embolization of foreign bodies to the venous system is not a rare event. This is a report on the transluminal effective and relatively easy removal of a sheath fragment from the right ventricle using standard angioplasty tools.