Percutaneous retrieval of a partially expanded iliac artery stent: case report

A partially expanded, intraluminal, balloon-expandable Palmaz vascular stent was retrieved percutaneously in a 48-year-old woman after attempted placement across a common iliac artery stenosis. A pinhole in the balloon prevented expansion, and the stent could not be stabilized to allow balloon exchange. The stent was snared by a 5Fr 4 mm balloon catheter replaced coaxially through the stent and then withdrawn into a 14Fr Amplatz sheath which had been percutaneously placed in the external iliac artery. Open surgical removal of the stent was thus avoided.