Intracardiac foreign body in a dog

The Diagnosis and Surgical Management of Intracardiac Quill Foreign Body in a Dog

“…Several methods have been successfully used to retrieve cardiac foreign bodies in dogs, including endovascular retrieval, thoracoscopic retrieval, removal via thoracotomy, and cardiopulmonary bypass with open heart surgery. 1,[3][4][5]8,16 In the present case, the CT exam did not reveal an intracardiac foreign body and, hence, more specific cardiac retrieval procedures were not considered. A median sternotomy is considered the gold standard for exploring the thoracic cavity in cases of spontaneous pneumothorax because of the ability to explore the left and right lung lobes.…”

“…Migration of sewing needles and wooden skewers from the gastrointestinal tract, intravascular migration of catheter fragments, metallic projectiles, and a single previous case of a quill migration have previously been described. 1,[3][4][5][6]8,16 Surgical intervention has been debated for small metallic projectile foreign bodies in both human and veterinary literature; however, early surgical intervention is recommended in people with acute injuries because complications, such as endocarditis, restrictive pericarditis, sepsis, and death, are reported at a rate of up to 71%. 4 In this case, the presenting complaint of bilateral pneumothorax was secondary to a migrating quill foreign body, which ultimately ended up penetrating into the right ventricular wall of the heart.…”

“…1,[3][4][5] The reported complications are often a result of the initial injury and disease caused by the foreign body rather than the development of disease secondary to the surgery or residual effects of the foreign body itself. 4,16 Although the concern for the development of postoperative endocarditis or pericarditis has been expressed, it has not been reported to date in veterinary literature. 16 Conversely, patients who present with endocarditis, pericarditis, septicemia, or disseminated intravascular coagulation appear to have resolution of their clinical signs following removal of the foreign body.…”

“…4,16 Although the concern for the development of postoperative endocarditis or pericarditis has been expressed, it has not been reported to date in veterinary literature. 16 Conversely, patients who present with endocarditis, pericarditis, septicemia, or disseminated intravascular coagulation appear to have resolution of their clinical signs following removal of the foreign body. 4,16 This finding is consistent with human literature where patients who survive removal of a foreign body have a good prognosis if there is not extensive trauma to the heart.…”

“…16 Conversely, patients who present with endocarditis, pericarditis, septicemia, or disseminated intravascular coagulation appear to have resolution of their clinical signs following removal of the foreign body. 4,16 This finding is consistent with human literature where patients who survive removal of a foreign body have a good prognosis if there is not extensive trauma to the heart. [18][19][20][21][22]…”