[Iatrogenic foreign bodies in heart (author's transl)].

Two cases are reported of migrating Kirschner wires, which had been inserted for stabilisation of bony defects of the thoracic cage. The wires migrated in both patients to the heart and caused life threatening complications like pericardial tamponade, arrhythmias and cardiac insufficiency. Indications for removal of foreign bodies from the heart are discussed. Attention is drawn to the fact that the ends of Kirschner wires must be bent in order to prevent migration.