Related Experiment Videos
[Percutaneous transfemoral foreign body removal from the heart or great vessels]
1Medizinische Klinik I, Universität München.
Insights
Foreign bodies in the heart or great vessels, often pacing electrode fragments, were successfully removed using catheter retrieval systems in 28 of 32 patients. This intervention resolved recurrent fevers and sepsis, demonstrating its necessity and feasibility.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Interventional Cardiology
- Medical Device Technology
Context:
- Septicemia and recurrent fevers often result from retained foreign bodies in the cardiovascular system.
- Antibiotic therapy alone is frequently insufficient for eradicating infections caused by intracardiac foreign bodies.
- Percutaneous transfemoral catheter retrieval offers a minimally invasive approach for managing these complications.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous transfemoral catheter retrieval for removing foreign bodies from the heart and great vessels.
- To assess the impact of foreign body removal on patient outcomes, particularly resolution of sepsis and fever.
Summary:
- Thirty-two patients with intracardiac foreign bodies, primarily broken-off pacing electrode fragments, underwent percutaneous transfemoral catheter retrieval.
- The retrieval system successfully removed foreign bodies in 28 patients (87.5%), with the right ventricle being the most common location.
- Following removal, patients experienced abrupt cessation of recurrent fevers, and no procedure-related complications were observed.
Impact:
- Percutaneous catheter retrieval is a highly effective and safe method for removing intracardiac foreign bodies.
- Immediate removal of embolic foreign bodies is crucial for resolving sepsis and preventing further complications.
- This technique provides a necessary alternative to open surgery for managing retained cardiovascular foreign bodies.
Abstract:
Removal of foreign bodies in the heart or great vessels was attempted via percutaneous transfemoral catheter retrieval system in 32 patients, antibiotic treatment--sometimes continued over many months--having failed to eradicate any septicaemia. In 28 patients it was possible to remove the foreign body with a special basket, forceps or sling catheter retrieval system. Most of the foreign bodies were broken-off pacing electrode fragments (n = 18). The most common site was the right ventricle (n = 15). 28 patients had had recurrent high fever; in 21 of them it was possible to identify the causative microorganism. Any fever ceased abruptly after removal of the foreign body. There were no complications ascribable to the procedure. The results indicate that, after foreign-body embolization, immediate removal is both necessary and possible.