The Use of Transesophageal Echocardiography in Determining the Structural and Functional Impact of Traumatic Intracardiac Foreign Bodies

Embolization of the Stent to the Right Heart After a Motor Vehicle Accident

“…Identification and location of cardiac foreign bodies remains a challenge for many practitioners especially in patient with an unstable condition. 2DTEE plays a significant role in the operative management of an intracardiac foreign body 7–13 . However, metallic cardiac foreign bodies cause imaging reverberation artifact because of the ultrasound beam striking a strongly echogenic object.…”

“…2DTEE plays a significant role in the operative management of an intracardiac foreign body. [7][8][9][10][11][12][13] However, metallic cardiac foreign bodies cause imaging reverberation artifact because of the ultrasound beam striking a strongly echogenic object. CT scanning is considered superior to 2DTEE to demonstrate a metallic cardiac object oriented in shape and direction, but is expensive, time-consuming, and may not always available.…”

“…However, device‐related complications, such as migration, stent deformed, and occlusion may occur. Intraoperative two‐dimensional (2D) transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) plays a significant role in the operative management of an intracardiac foreign body 7–13 . However, the exact orientation and functional impact of an intracardiac foreign body is difficult to discern by use the 2DTEE.…”

“…Intraoperative two-dimensional (2D) transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) plays a significant role in the operative management of an intracardiac foreign body. [7][8][9][10][11][12][13] However, the exact orientation and functional impact of an intracardiac foreign body is difficult to discern by use the 2DTEE. Here, we report a case of migration of an endovascular stent from the left iliac vein to the right heart after a motor vehicle accident.…”

Surgical Mystery

“…Within the realm of spinal surgery, this serves as the first example of a pituitary rongeur tip embolizing to the left ventricle because of vascular injury during lumbar discectomy. 51,53 Finally, although intracardiac foreign bodies can lead to endocarditis, arrhythmias, and valvular malfunctions, percutaneous endovascular (for the right heart) or surgical intervention (for the left heart) is often considered only if the diameter of the foreign object exceeds 5 mm, its shape is irregular, or when the patient exhibits clinical symptoms. 46 -49 In addition, this case demonstrates both the strengths and weaknesses of transthoracic echocardiography as a means to supplement the operative management of cardiac foreign bodies.…”