Surgical removal of an embolized intravenous catheter fragment from the axillobrachial vein of a dog.

An 8-month-old neutered male miniature Australian shepherd was examined for evaluation and treatment of suspected embolization of a peripheral intravenous catheter fragment. Embolism had occurred after the catheter cannula was accidentally cut during removal from the right cephalic vein. Radiographs showed migration of the fragment to the proximolateral right brachium. Surgical exploration, assisted by fluoroscopy, localized the fragment to the axillobrachial vein, where the tip was visualized within the vessel lodged against the wall. A venotomy was performed, allowing the fragment to be extracted from the peripheral vessel before it could migrate farther. The dog recovered from surgery without complication and was discharged the following day. Key clinical message: In the case reported here, the axillobrachial vein was a clinically important location on the migration path of a cephalic intravenous catheter embolus. Fluoroscopy allowed for quick localization of an embolized intravenous catheter fragment within a peripheral vein and directed open surgical retrieval of the foreign body. A peripheral catheter fragment can be retrieved surgically from a vein in a limb even when a tourniquet has not been applied immediately.