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Review
. 2019 Aug;23(8):382-383.
doi: 10.5005/jp-journals-10071-23225.

Guidewire Mishap: An Avoidable Iatrogenic Complication

Archana Rani  1 , Praveen K Malik  2
Affiliations
Review

Guidewire Mishap: An Avoidable Iatrogenic Complication

Archana Rani et al. Indian J Crit Care Med. 2019 Aug.

Abstract

Central vein catheterization is a commonly used technique in indoor patients. It is mainly used for venous access, allowing administration of drugs, fluids, chemotherapy, blood components. Central vein catheterisation may lead to many complication which includes bleeding, perforation of veins and hematoma formation, thrombosis, infections, bleeding, needle stick injury, air embolism, kinking or looping of the wire tip, breakage of a guidewire, etc. We, hereby, report a case where the guidewire was lost during femoral venous catherisation. A whole guidewire embolization is completely preventable complication. It may not necessarily produce any symptoms and may remain unnoticed for long time.

How to cite this article: Rani A, Malik PK. Guidewire Mishap: An Avoidable Iatrogenic Complication. Indian J Crit Care Med 2019;23(8):382-383.

Keywords: Central venous catheterization; Guidewire; Hemodialysis.

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Conflict of interest statement

Source of support: Nil Conflict of interest: None

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Chest X-ray PA view showing the massive right sided pleural effusion
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
X-ray abdomen and pelvis showing the migrated guidewire in situ with distal end lying in femoral vein
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Fluoroscopic image exploring the upper J-end of guidewire, which is lying at the level of T5, corresponding to tight atrium
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Fluoroscopic image confirming the superficial position of distal end of guidewire in femoral vein just before surgical retrieval
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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