Peripheral venous embolized intracardiac foreign body

¹ MC-Mutual, Barcelona, Spain

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: lluisgarbo{at}yahoo.com.

	Abstract

Embolized intracardiac foreign bodies have been previously described in the literature. Those related to iatrogenic procedures, such as catheters and pacemakers electrodes, are the most common. However, traumatic embolization of a metal foreign body is scantily described. We report a case of a peripheral venous embolized intracardiac metal foreign body after traumatic elbow injury. A review of the literature is therefore performed. Intracardiac foreign body removal must be considered when its diameter exceeds 5 mm, its shape is irregular or when symptomatic. Keywords: Foreign body; Embolization; Intracardiac; Peripheral vein