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Surgical removal of intracardiac foreign bodies
Insights
Surgical removal is effective for intracardiac foreign bodies when non-surgical methods fail. Two patients with dislodged ventriculoatrial shunts were treated with open catheter removal without cardiopulmonary bypass.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Neurosurgery
- Pediatric Surgery
Background:
- Intracardiac foreign bodies, such as dislodged ventriculoatrial shunts, pose significant risks.
- Non-surgical removal methods may be unsuccessful, necessitating alternative approaches.
Observation:
- Two pediatric patients with dislodged ventriculoatrial shunts for hydrocephalus were identified.
- One shunt catheter was located in the pulmonary artery, and the other in the right atrium.
Findings:
- Open surgical removal of the intracardiac shunt catheters was successfully performed in both patients.
- The retrieval was achieved without the need for cardiopulmonary bypass, minimizing procedural risks.
Implications:
- This case series highlights the feasibility and safety of open surgical removal for dislodged intracardiac foreign bodies.
- The findings suggest that surgical intervention can be a viable option when less invasive techniques fail, offering a potentially less morbid alternative.
Abstract:
When non-surgical methods for removing intracardiac foreign body have failed, surgical removal should be attempted. Two patients who had dislodged ventriculoatrial shunts for hydrocephalus underwent open removal of catheters, one from the pulmonary artery while the other from the right atrium. Both were successfully retrieved without cardiopulmonary bypass. We describe the clinical and radiological features, with a review of the indications and techniques available.
