Hemodialysis international
-
A 55-year-old female was hospitalized for melena. The patient was suspected of having uremia symptoms. Use of a tunneled cuffed hemodialysis catheter of the right internal jugular vein was planned. ⋯ The present case shows that entrapment within the heart can develop due to use of a J-tip guide wire. If a guide wire cannot be removed despite several attempts with gentle pressure, this event should be ruled out by fluoroscopy and chest X-ray. Using of straight or curved guide wire and real-time surveillance using fluoroscopy or electrocardiography may be important to prevent this complication.