Intracardiac migration of a distal shunt catheter: an unusual complication of ventricular shunts

Abstract

Unusual complications of peritoneal shunts are a well-known occurrence. The authors present 2 cases of intracardiac migration of a distal shunt catheter, summarizing the diagnosis and management of each case. This complication seems to be a rare occurrence; the transgression of the jugular vein leading to intracardiac migration of a shunt catheter has been reported only 6 times previously. The authors highlight the importance of careful and proper placement of the distal peritoneal catheter during the tunneling process, in particular avoiding too deep a penetration of the shunt passer into the neck tissues and too medial a shunt passage near the sternal notch to avoid vascular structures.