Hairpin coiling of central line catheter: Pinch-off syndrome?

Abstract

Central line insertion is a commonly performed procedure in the intensive care unit. Although technical difficulty is moderate, experience decreases the failure rate. Central vein catheter (CVC) insertion is associated with various complications such as pneumothorax and arterial puncture, but rare possibilities such as coiling of catheter can still occur and every intensivist should be cautious about it. Chest X-ray remains the gold standard to confirm the course and position of CVC and should be correlated with clinical findings. We report a case where CVC insertion was associated with coiling and led to occlusion of the proximal port.