Removal of a retained guide wire in a critically ill patient with coagulopathy and cardiac instability

Abstract

Loss of a guide wire in the venous system is a dreaded complication following central venous catheter insertion. Removal can be even more challenging in a patient with haemodynamic instability, acute kidney injury and thrombocytopenia. We report a case of successful removal of a retained guide wire lodged in the superior vena cava using correctly timed interventional radiology.