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An unusual presentation of chest pain: needle perforation of the right ventricle

Kristin L Thanavaro1, Sadia Shafi, Charlotte Roberts

  • 1Division of Cardiology, VCU Pauley Heart Center, USA. Kristin.Thanavaro@gmail.com

Heart & Lung : the Journal of Critical Care
|April 2, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Foreign bodies in the heart are rare, with no treatment guidelines. A case study highlights a needle fragment causing cardiac tamponade and shock, emphasizing the need for awareness.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Traumatology
  • Medical Case Reports

Background:

  • Cardiac foreign bodies are uncommon, arising from causes like intravenous drug use, trauma, or medical procedures.
  • Current medical literature lacks specific treatment guidelines for cardiac foreign bodies.

Observation:

  • A case is presented of a woman experiencing chest pain.
  • Her condition rapidly deteriorated, leading to cardiogenic shock.
  • The shock was attributed to cardiac tamponade caused by a needle fragment.

Findings:

  • The needle fragment perforated the right ventricular free wall.
  • This perforation resulted in hemopericardium and subsequent tamponade.
  • The patient developed severe cardiogenic shock.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the critical risks associated with cardiac foreign bodies.
  • Highlights the potential for life-threatening complications like tamponade and shock.
  • Suggests a need for increased vigilance and potential development of treatment protocols.

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