[Percutaneous transluminal extraction of an embolized central venous catheter].

Despite all precautions in two cases a large fragment of a transvenously placed central-venous catheter broke off and became lodged in the right atrium. In both the fragments were removed successfully and without complication with the Dotter intravascular retriever catheter, percutaneously introduced into the femoral vein. Staphylococci were grown from both catheter fragments after removal. These cases illustrate once again the value of radio-opaque venous catheters.