Extraction of an intracardial catheter embolus using combined radiography and transesophageal echocardiography.

Embolism of a fragment of a central venous catheter is a serious clinical complication, especially when the fragment cannot be made visible by radiological methods. We report a case where such a fragment could only be localized by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). With combined use of x-rays and TEE, the catheter embolus was successfully extracted using a conventional Dormia catheter. For similar situations the described procedure is recommended.