Removing Components of a Broken Catheter Device after Technical Defect in Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation - a Case Report

Endoluminal therapies like the Venefit procedure belong to the standard therapy for chronic venous insufficiency. [1] Technical defects of a catheter are possible, but the use of a broken catheter in vivo has never been described before. We report on removing of a catheter tip that remained in the patient due to a technical defect in the Venefit procedure. The 60-year-old out-patient underwent endoluminal therapy. During the procedure, technical problems arose - the catheter broke and components of the heating segment and catheter wire remained in the patient. Consequently, these remaining components of the catheter were surgically removed from the patient.