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Swallowed a needle stuck in heart
Mustafa Yolcu1, Ahmet Aydın2, Ali Fuat Korkmaz2
1Department of Cardiology, Erzurum Region Training and Research Hospital, Erzurum, Turkey. yolcudoctor@gmail.com.
Summary
Cardiac tamponade, a life-threatening condition caused by fluid buildup around the heart, requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. This case highlights a rare cause: accidental sewing needle ingestion.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Cardiac tamponade (CT) is a critical condition characterized by hemodynamic compromise due to increased intrapericardial pressure.
- It is a treatable cause of cardiogenic shock, necessitating rapid diagnosis to prevent fatality.
Observation:
- Clinical signs include dyspnea, hypotension, tachycardia, pulsus paradoxus, and muffled heart sounds.
- Etiologies range from pericarditis and trauma to malignancy and systemic diseases.
Findings:
- This report details a unique case of cardiac tamponade surgically treated after a patient ingested a sewing needle.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering unusual foreign body ingestion in the differential diagnosis of cardiac tamponade.
- Highlights the need for thorough patient history and diagnostic workup in emergent cardiac conditions.