Surgical removal of intracardiac foreign bodies.

When non-surgical methods for removing intracardiac foreign body have failed, surgical removal should be attempted. Two patients who had dislodged ventriculoatrial shunts for hydrocephalus underwent open removal of catheters, one from the pulmonary artery while the other from the right atrium. Both were successfully retrieved without cardiopulmonary bypass. We describe the clinical and radiological features, with a review of the indications and techniques available.