Entrapment of guidewire in the coronary stent during percutaneous coronary intervention

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Interventional Cardiology
• Vascular Surgery

Background:

• Coronary artery disease management often involves percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with stent implantation.
• Guidewire manipulation is a critical step during PCI procedures.

Observation:

• A 76-year-old male patient experienced chest discomfort, leading to coronary angiography.
• Angiography revealed subtotal occlusion and significant stenosis in the right coronary artery (RCA).

Findings:

• Two intracoronary stents were successfully deployed in the RCA.
• The guidewire became entrapped within the deployed coronary stent, preventing its removal.
• The entrapped guidewire was successfully retrieved, followed by emergency coronary artery bypass grafting.

Implications:

• Guidewire entrapment is a rare but serious complication during coronary stenting.
• Prompt recognition and management are crucial to prevent adverse cardiac events.
• This case highlights the importance of preparedness for procedural complications in interventional cardiology.