A Case Series of Successful Percutaneous Retrieval of Intra-Arterial Broken Catheter Fragments Using Two Different Techniques

Abstract

Technological refinements and advancements, introduction of newer tools, physician and patient preference for catheter-based techniques have led to an increasing number of endovascular interventions worldwide in the last two decades. Despite these advancements, operators face unforeseen hardware-related complications due to various factors.

Worldwide, cases of broken/dislodged fragment(s) of various hardware (e.g., catheters, guidewires, angioplasty balloons, and stents) have been reported increasingly. These broken fragments may cause life-threatening consequences. Hence, interventionists need to be aware as well as skilled with different retrieval techniques.

Here, we report two cases where successful percutaneous retrieval of broken, dislodged, and embolized angiographic catheters from the coronary and renal arteries were done using two different techniques.