| Safeguarding
Cardiac Guide Wires To Avoid Breakage By Cathleen Michaoloski,
BSN, MPH
Nurse Epidemiologist
Center for Devices and Radiological Health
Food and Drug Administration
During a percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) procedure,
a guide wire broke inside a patient’s coronary artery. The patient
needed surgery to remove the guide wire fragment.
What went wrong?
Cardiac guide wires are often used to help place balloon dilatation
catheters during intravascular interventional procedures, including
PTCA. The most common adverse event associated with guide wires that’s
reported to the FDA is breakage of the tip or wire, most commonly because
of handling or use error. Other potential adverse reactions include
air embolism, perforation, and infarction.
What precautions can you take?
Although a physician handles the guide wire during the procedure, you
should follow these general guidelines to minimize the risk of breakage:
- Carefully read and follow the product’s labeling instructions
and precautions.
- Before the procedure, remove the wire slowly and carefully from
the carrier tube to avoid damaging the distal tip. Check for any tiny
surface bends or scrapes.
- Make sure that the wire size is compatible with the balloon dilatation
catheter.
- Don’t try to straighten a bent guide wire.
- To avoid shearing, wires with special coating shouldn’t be
withdrawn through a metal needle cannula.
- Always use fluoroscopic guidance when positioning the guide wires.
Never position the guide wire blindly.
- Never reuse or re-sterilize the device.
Additional Information
The Food and Drug administration has produced a three-part video entitled
“Central Venous Catheter Complications” that reviews complications
associated with the use of CVCs through the eyes of two residents. The
video series outlines key points on patient preparation, positioning,
catheter selection, and EKG monitoring to reduce the likelihood of complications.
The series then illustrates common complications and therapeutic solution
via anatomical illustrations, radiographs, and discussions with members
of the medical team. To view a preview and for more information about
the video, please go to
http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/ohip/dupsa/cvcvideo.html.
Updated May 25, 2004
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