Percutaneous wire rescue during radial sheath insertion

Radial artery catheterization is a common procedure performed in the cardiac catheterization laboratory. Transradial accesssing is becoming an increasingly widespread choice because of its lower complications compared with the transfemoral approach. Although complications related to this procedure are well established, troubles associated with the guide wire are rare. We present the first reported case of a percutaneous rescue of a wire during radial sheath insertion using the balloon entrapment technique to retrieve it without surgery.