Unintentional embolization of a guide wire in the inferior vena cava during central venous catheter insertion successfully retrieved percutaneously 9 months later

Central venous catheters are routinely positioned for hemodynamic monitoring and fluid administration in patients undergoing cardiac surgery, and many well-known complications associated with this manoeuver have been described. Metalic guide wire embolization is a rare complication potentially associated with nonmechanical and mechanical adverse events. The case we report is peculiar as an almost fully endothelialized guide wire was successfully retrieved 9 months after its unintentional embolization in the inferior vena cava. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.