Acute pulmonary emboli associated with guidewire change of a central venous catheter.

The potential complications of percutaneous venous catheterizations are many and include pneumothorax, subclavian and carotid artery puncture, hematoma, air embolism, catheter malposition, catheter fragment embolization, venous thrombosis and infection. This case report describes a patient who developed angiographically documented pulmonary emboli associated with the changing of a central venous catheter over a guidewire using Seldinger technique. This episode adds the possibility of acute pulmonary emboli to the list of potential complications from central venous catheterizations.