[Percutaneous removal of foreign bodies from the cardiovascular system: two experienced cases in addition to a review of 35 cases reported over the past 9 years in Japan].

From 1984 to 1992 in Japan, 37 cases, including 2 cases of our own, have been reported to involve the percutaneous removal of foreign bodies from the cardiovascular system by catheter. We reviewed the cases of these foreign bodies and the locations, approaches and types of catheters used for removal. The reported foreign bodies were usually iatrogenic in origin and were approximately two times larger than those found in patients who had self-dislodged catheters. The most common catheter approaches were from either the right femoral or saphenous veins.