D. Winrow et al., ENTANGLEMENT OF A PIGTAIL CATHETER BY THE CHORDAE TENDINEAE OF THE TRICUSPID-VALVE DURING PULMONARY ANGIOGRAPHY, Cardiovascular and interventional radiology, 19(4), 1996, pp. 275-277
Two cases are presented in which a pigtail catheter was entrapped by t
he chordae tendineae of the tricuspid valve during pulmonary arteriogr
aphy. A technique for removal of the catheter from its entanglement by
the chordae tendineae is described. Caution must be taken when advanc
ing through the right ventricle a catheter that appears to be entrappe
d by the chordae tendineae. When such an entanglement occurs, measures
to reduce the risk of rupturing a papillary muscle must be taken.