Retrograde embolization of a detached polyethylene catheter.

The increasing use of intravenous polyethylene catheters has led to a growing incidence of accidental breakage of catheters and migration to the heart. In this communication, we describe a patient in whom the broken fragment of catheter migrated retrogradely from the subclavian vein to the inferior vena cava and left iliac vein. The possible mechanism for such retrograde migration is postulated.