Summary:The so-called pinch-off syndrome is observed in up to 1% of all central venous catheters (CVCs), and is a valuable warning prior to fragmentation, which occurs in approximately 40% of the respective cases. As long-term indwelling CVCs are used with increasing frequency, this paper describes the necessity of pinch-off monitoring following the experiences of a case study and a review of the current literature on this specific topic in order to point out preventive practice guidelines.Besides easy preventive practices such as a high level of suspicion and adequate X-ray controls, findings give strong evidence that the most important specific factor might be the adequate approach.In our hands, the supraclavicular technique has provided the best results with regards to percutaneous introduction of large bore CVCs. Central venous catheters (CVCs) are useful therapeutic and diagnostic devices for administration of fluids, chemotherapeutic agents, parenteral nutrition and for central venous pressure monitoring, for vascular access, for extracorporal treatment regimens, and bone marrow transplantation. [1][2][3] As with most invasive procedures, central venous catheterization is associated with numerous potential complications, both during placement and later in long-term maintenance. Pneumothorax, infection, bleeding, arrhythmias, malposition, and thrombosis are well-known complications. 3,4 A rare but serious complication is catheter fragmentation with subsequent embolization through the heart into the pulmonary artery occurring in approximately 40% of patients who develop the possible precursor warnings of catheter fragmentation, the so-called pinchoff sign described by Aitken and Minton in 1984. [5][6][7] As long-term indwelling, CVCs have often become the patient's lifeline and are used with increasing frequency worldwide, we report a representative case of our own experience and summarize the current literature on this specific topic in order to emphasize preventive practice guidelines.
Case reportA 35-year-old female presented with acute lymphatic leukemia in 1988. After treatment with standard chemotherapy she achieved complete remission. After 4 years, she relapsed and required reinduction. Prior to reinduction a port-a-cath was inserted by surgical cut-down technique. After chemotherapy the patient was scheduled for autologous bone marrow transplantation. Since the treating physicians considered an additional long-term device necessary for autologous bone marrow transplantation a double-lumen Hickman-catheter (Bard 12.0 Fr, Round Dual Lumen; Cranston, RI, USA) was inserted by surgical cut-down to access the contralateral subclavian vein. The procedure was performed by the surgeons without complications. The slight kinking of the line on the postprocedural chest radiograph was accepted because the catheter lines were functioning, the catheter tip was positioned correctly and the lumina of both catheter lines were inconspicious.Conditioning chemotherapy was administered and was followed by bone marrow tra...