Early-Onset Rupture and Cardiac Embolization of an Implantable Venous Port Catheter: A Case Report of Pinch-Off Syndrome
Implantable venous access devices are indispensable for long-term treatment management in oncology patients; however they may lead to rare but serious mechanical complications. While ''Pinch-off syndrome'' is typically associated with chronic catheter wear occurring over several months, we present the case of a 46-year-old female patient who developed complete rupture and cardiac embolization only 12 days after implantation. The catheter ruptured during the first chemotherapy session, 7 days after placement, and became lodged between the right ventricle and the subclavian vein. The embolized distal fragment was successfully retrieved via the right brachial vein using a snare catheter.
1. da Motta Leal Filho JM, Carnevale FC, Cerri GG. Subclavian vein an unusual access for the removal of intravascular foreign bodies. Ann Vasc Surg. 2010;24(6):826.e1-4. doi: 10.1016/j.avsg.2010.02.031.
2. Hinke DH, Zandt-Stastny DA, Goodman LR, Quebbeman EJ, Krzywda EA, Andris DA. Pinch-off syndrome: a complication of implantable subclavian venous access devices. Radiology. 1990;177(2):353-356. doi: 10.1148/radiology.177.2.2217768.
3. Mirza B, Vanek VW, Kupensky DT. Pinch-off syndrome: case report and collective review of the literature. Am Surg. 2004;70(7):635-644.
4. Allassane EA, El Hammoumi M, Bhairis M, El Oueriachi F, Kabiri EH. Pinch-off syndrome ou syndrome de la Pince Costo-Claviculaire [Pinch-off syndrom or costo clavicular forceps syndrom]. Rev Pneumol Clin. 2018;74(6):492-496. doi: 10.1016/j.pneumo.2018.09.014. [Article in French]
5. Sauro L, Sauro R, Manganelli F, Rotondi F. Ritardo da evitare: recupero tardivo per via percutanea di catetere venoso centrale fratturato ed embolizzato in arteria polmonare [Time-delay to avoid: delayed recovery of a percutaneous central venous catheter fractured and embolized in the pulmonary artery]. Recenti Prog Med. 2011 Nov;102(11):442-3. doi: 10.1701/975.10609. [Article in Italian]
6. Staniscia G, Perenze B, De Nicola E, Potì O. La sindrome di pinch-off [Pinch-off syndrome]. Ann Ital Chir. 2008;79(6):463-465. [Article in Italian]
7. Andris DA, Krzywda EA. Catheter pinch-off syndrome: recognition and management. J Intraven Nurs. 1997;20(5):233-237.
8. Ferrari A, Nahas S, Maccaferri R, Malacarne P. Sindrome del "pinch off" e rottura di accesso venoso totalmente impiantato. Descrizione di un caso [Pinch-off syndrome and rupture of totally implanted venous access. Report of a case]. Recenti Prog Med. 2000;91(6):297-300. [Article in Italian]
9. Funaki B. Catheter Pinch off with Foreign Body Retrieval. Semin Intervent Radiol. 2017;34(1):81-84. doi: 10.1055/s-0036-1597769.
10. Pérez Bergara E, Pavón Benito A, Lánderer Vázquez T, Salvador Bravo M, Aizcorbe Garralda M, Zugasti O. Sección y embolización de catéter permanente por síndrome de pinzamiento costoclavicular (pinch-off) [Fracture and embolization of implantable subclavian venous catheter fragments due to costoclavicular compression: pinch-off syndrome]. Rev Esp Anestesiol Reanim. 2009;56(2):115-118. doi: 10.1016/s0034-9356(09)70342-1. [Article in Spanish]
Copyright (c) 2026 The European Research Journal
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Downloads
Article Information
- Article Type Case Report
- Submitted March 23, 2026
- Accepted May 4, 2026
- Published May 8, 2026
- Issue 2026: Online First
- Section Case Report
- Categories
