[Retrieval of intravascular catheter fragment remaining for 15 years--a case report].

A 66-year-old woman was operated on aortic valve replacement, mitral valve replacement, and tricuspid annuloplasty. Retrieval of remaining Swan-Ganz Thermodilution catheter in the superior vena cava and the right atrium for 15 years was also made. Fortunately, contamination and embolism have not occurred for 15 years. Extracted catheter showed to be stiff due to the degradation. It was suggested that the cause of remaining was the thread for closing the left atrium on the previous operation. The explanation to patient and one's recognition are most important. We recommend that retrieval of remaining catheter for a long time and/or after open heart surgery should be made under extracorporeal circulation because that remaining catheter may be involved with the intima, and preventing from bleeding.