Septic atrial thrombosis. A potentially lethal complication of Broviac catheters in infants
W. Haddad, J. Idowu, K. Georgeson, L. Bailey, R. Doroshow and N. Pickham
Even though the use of Silastic catheters for long-term parenteral
nutrition has decreased the incidence of catheter-related thrombosis and
infection, these serious complications still occur. We describe three
infants with septic atrial thrombosis secondary to use of Broviac
catheters. One of the infants had pulmonary embolism and Budd-Chiari
syndrome. The use of echocardiography in the diagnosis of this potentially
fatal complication and aggressive treatment--which included open heart
removal of thrombi--are discussed. The three infants recovered fully from
this complication.
