Percutaneous extraction of centrally embolized foreign bodies: a report of 16 cases.

Sixteen cases of centrally embolized foreign bodies are reported (eight catheter fragments, two guide wires, four pacemaker electrodes, one ventriculo-atrial shunt, one Port-A-Cath catheter). In all patients only the Dormia basket was used. Foreign body extraction was successful in all patients except one, in which removal of a pacemaker electrode from the myocardium failed. Technical aspects as well as complications of percutaneous foreign body extraction are discussed.