Successful percutaneous removal of cardiac foreign body afer 13 months in situ

We have reported the uncomplicated percutaneous removal of an embolized polyethylene catheter that had remained in the right ventricle for 13 months. This case suggests that transvenous catheterization technics should be attempted before resorting to more invasive measures in retrieving embolized catheters from the heart, regardless of time in situ.