Transfemoral percutaneous removal of a knotted Swan-Ganz catheter

Untying the Knot: A Rare Case of Formation of a Life-Threatening Intracardiac Knot Following the Placement of a Temporary Transvenous Pacemaker

The implantation of a temporary pacemaker lead is a very common procedure performed in most hospitals and is known to be relatively safe, but there can be serious complications in rare circumstances. Reported complications including arrhythmias, infection, thromboembolic phenomena, and perforation of the vessel or the heart are all extensively described. However, an unusual and life-threatening complication that is not frequently discussed is the formation of intracardiac knots. We present a case of a rare complication of a temporary pacemaker placement with the formation of a knot in the distal lead requiring expert technique for removal.

Successful percutaneous retrieval of unusually knotted temporary pacemaker lead

Implantation of temporary pacemaker lead is commonly performed procedure and is usually safe, but can sometimes develop rare and serious complication like intracardiac lead knotting which may require challenging retrieval techniques. We report a case of successful percutaneous retrieval of unusually knotted right internal jugular venous temporary pacing lead via left femoral transvenous approach using snare over a long sheath after cutting the electrode proximally and thus avoiding any surgical intervention.

[Intracardiac node of Swan-Ganz catheter: report of a case]

Le monitorage hémodynamique par cathéter de Swan-Ganz est utile surtout en cas de fonction cardiaque altérée. La mise en place de ce cathéter peut être accompagnée par des complications sévères dans 3 à 4,4% des cas tel que la rupture de l'artère pulmonaire, l'atteinte valvulaire, les troubles de la conduction, le pneumothorax, l'hémothorax et rarement la formation d'un nœud intracardiaque. Nous rapportons un cas de cathéter de Swan-Ganz compliqué d'un nœud formé à son extrémité et nous discutons les éventuels moyens diagnostiques et thérapeutiques de cette complication.

Transfemoral contralateral technique to retrieve knotted coronary artery catheter using Amplatz Goose Neck snare catheter

Performing coronary angiography in very older patients can prove a challenge due to vessels calcification and torturousity. Manipulation of coronary catheters to engage the artery ostium may result in over twisting and can result in complications ranging from a minor 'kink' to a complex 'knot'. The authors describe a novel method to retrieve the complex twisted coronary catheter using snare technique, after usual steps to remove the coronary catheter failed.