Right ventricular needle embolus in an injecting drug user: the need for early removal

This case report describes an unusual cardiac complication in a 22 year old , female injecting drug user. The retention of two fractured injection need les at the site of intravenous injection in the groin, and the subsequent e mbolisation of one to the right ventricle, predisposed to recurrent local a nd systemic infections, and endocarditis. Two years later, the needle was c ompletely embedded in the wall of the right ventricle and not suitable for transvenous removal. Removal of the retained and/or embolised needle at an earlier stage would have precluded these complications.