Intra-arterial Foreign Body

Abstract

The presence of a foreign body in the vascular lumen, such as a fragment of a catheter guidewire or stent, is rare but very disturbing for the patient and their family, as well as challenging for the treating medical staff. We present the case of a 28-year-old male patient in whom, during a deep venous approach, the catheter guidewire became lodged in the arterial system, in the thoracic aorta. The patient remained asymptomatic throughout. The diagnosis was confirmed by chest and abdominal X-rays. Open surgery was performed to remove the object, and the patient progressed satisfactorily. These situations have been on the rise with the use of devices for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, which has increased the frequency of complications. Currently, percutaneous removal is the most widely used and least invasive procedure. Healthcare personnel must take every precaution to avoid this type of complication.