Percutaneous retrieval of foreign bodies from the cardiovascular system

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Interventional Cardiology
• Medical Device Retrieval

Background:

• Foreign bodies, such as fragmented catheters and devices, can embolize within the cardiovascular system during interventional procedures.
• Embolized cardiovascular foreign bodies pose significant risks and necessitate effective retrieval strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the experience of retrieving embolized cardiovascular foreign bodies using a percutaneous approach.
• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of minimally invasive retrieval techniques for cardiovascular foreign bodies.

Main Methods:

• Seven patients with embolized cardiovascular foreign bodies were treated.
• A percutaneous approach was utilized for retrieval.
• Various retrieval devices were employed, including pigtail catheters, multipurpose catheters with snares, Amplatz gooseneck snares, nitinol multisnare sets, and basket catheters.

Main Results:

• Successful percutaneous retrieval of cardiovascular foreign bodies was achieved in all seven patients.
• The patient cohort included individuals aged 2 to 29 years (mean age 17 years), with a male predominance (57%).
• No complications were reported during or after the retrieval procedures.

Conclusions:

• Percutaneous retrieval is a safe and effective method for managing embolized cardiovascular foreign bodies.
• Minimally invasive techniques offer a viable solution for removing iatrogenic cardiovascular foreign material.
• This approach minimizes patient morbidity associated with open surgical interventions.