Intracardiac bone cement embolism resulting in ventricular perforation: an unusual cause of sudden chest pain

Leakage of bone cement is a known complication after percutaneous kyphoplasty. In rare cases, bone cement can reach the venous system and cause life-threatening embolism. We present the case of a 73-year-old male, who was admitted to our hospital with new-onset chest pain and dyspnoea. He had a history of percutaneous kyphoplasty. Multimodal imaging showed intracardiac cement embolism in the right ventricle with penetration of the interventricular septum and perforation of the apex. The bone cement was successfully removed during open cardiac surgery.

Life-threatening intracardiac cement embolisms after percutaneous kyphoplasty: a case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous kyphoplasty is a popular technique in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral fractures, but intracardiac cement embolism can be a life-threatening complication.Case presentation: The authors present a case involving a patient who developed dyspnea and chest tightness after percutaneous kyphoplasty. Echocardiography and chest computed tomography confirmed several foreign bodies in the right atrium and pulmonary arteries causing cardiac perforation and pericardial tamponade. Conservative treatment was administered, and the patient died of respiratory and heart failure.

CONCLUSIONS

The present case highlights that surgical removal may be the first-choice treatment for symptomatic intracardiac cement embolism.

A case report of intracardiac bone cement embolization after posterior decompression and cement-enhanced pedicle screw fixation for osteoporosis and lumbar degeneration

RATIONALE

Bone cement leakage is a common complication of percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) and percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) surgery and has also been reported in posterior decompression and cement-enhanced pedicle screw fixation. When bone cement leaks through the venous system, it will have serious consequences and even endanger the life of the patient, especially when the bone cement causes intracardiac embolism.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 70-year-old woman developed chest tightness and decreased blood oxygen saturation following posterior decompression and cement-enhanced pedicle screw fixation.

DIAGNOSIS

After the patient was given symptomatic treatment, the symptoms were not relieved, the high-sensitivity troponin I level continued to rise, the electrocardiogram results were abnormal, and chest computed tomography (CT) revealed multiple flaky and strip-shaped dense shadows in the heart.

INTERVENTION

The patient underwent removal of foreign bodies from the heart under cardiopulmonary bypass and tricuspid valvuloplasty, removal of intracardiac bone cement, and repair of the tricuspid valve and chordae.

OUTCOME

The patient recovered well postoperatively and was discharged from the hospital after 3 weeks. There were no intracardiac foreign bodies observed on chest CT after the operation.

LESSONS

For patients with cardiopulmonary discomfort after posterior decompression and bone cement-enhanced pedicle screw fixation, in view of the limitations of radiographic examination, we recommend performing chest CT examination to confirm the diagnosis. For patients with intravascular foreign body embolism, multidisciplinary team joint treatment saves lives.

Bedside echocardiography for diagnosis of intracardiac cement embolism after percutaneous vertebroplasty: A case report

This case report is to demonstrate that a female patient had suddenly become unconscious 14 hours after percutaneous vertebroplasty. Bedside echocardiogram showed that the patient had a strong echo in the right heart with a small amount of pericardial effusion. CT showed high density in the distal branches of both pulmonary arteries and a high density in the right heart. With the help of that, the doctor made the diagnosis of intracardiac cement embolism in a very short time. The bone cement in the heart was removed under emergency cardiopulmonary bypass, then the patient was discharged smoothly.

Removal of intracardiac bone cement embolism after percutaneous kyphoplasty: A case report

RATIONALE

Leakage of bone cement is a common complication after percutaneous kyphoplasty. In rare cases, bone cement can leak into the venous system, which can be life threatening, especially when it causes an embolism in the heart.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 79-year-old female patient developed chest pain with chest tightness 3 weeks after the percutaneous kyphoplasty.

DIAGNOSES

Initially, negative fluoroscopy results and elevated myocardial enzymes suggested that the patient's chest pain and chest tightness symptoms were manifestations of coronary heart disease. However, in the subsequent computed tomography (CT) examination, foreign bodies in the heart and pulmonary vessels were found.

INTERVENTIONS

The patient underwent emergency surgery to remove the bone cement and repair the tricuspid valve.

OUTCOMES

The postoperative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged on the 13th day after surgery.

LESSONS

If a patient develops chest pain with chest tightness after percutaneous kyphoplasty, the clinicians must be vigilant and take into account the limited sensitivity of fluoroscopy and use chest computer tomography and echocardiogram as the first choice and thereby prevent serious consequences.