Nonsurgical removal of foreign body from right heart. A new percutaneous approach.

A new method is described for the nonsurgical removal of foreign bodies from the right heart. By means of the percutaneous Seldinger Technique, endoscopic forceps were passed throught the internal jugular vein to remove a fragment of polyvinyl catheter from the right atrium of a patient who had had heart surgery. The procedure is atraumatic and can be performed on patients who are critically ill and those who recently have had surgery.