Successful Removal of an Entrapped Stent Delivery Catheter Using Two Arterial Sheaths in the Ipsilateral Groin

Entrapment of devices, such as a Rota bar, an extension catheter, or an intravascular ultrasound device, during percutaneous coronary intervention has been reported and bailout strategies have been discussed. However, there have been few reports on entrapment of devices during endovascular treatment (EVT). A 70-year-old man was referred to our clinic for the management of rest pain in his left lower limb. His left ankle-brachial index was unmeasurable and computed tomography angiography revealed total occlusion of the left common, external iliac, and superficial femoral arteries (SFA). He was diagnosed as having symptomatic limb-threatening ischemia and EVT was planned. The first EVT was performed on an occluding lesion in the left iliac artery. We used a transradial approach and deployed two bare nitinol stents in the left iliac artery without complications. One week after the first EVT, the second EVT was performed on an occluding lesion in the left SFA. A 6.0-French (Fr) guide sheath was inserted antegradely through the left common femoral artery. The occluded lesion was dilated with a 4.0 mm plain balloon, following which intravascular ultrasound revealed a localized severe stenotic lesion in the distal part of the SFA. A 6.0 mm drug-eluting stent was deployed to cover the stenotic lesion in the distal part of the SFA without pre-dilation; however, the stenotic lesion did not dilate sufficiently. When we attempted to extract the stent delivery catheter, we could not detach its tip from the localized severe stenotic lesion and were unable to remove it by force or external compression. Therefore, we decided to implement a double guide technique by inserting a 4.0-Fr sheath simultaneously into the left common femoral artery adjacent to the first puncture site together with another 0.014-inch guidewire via a 4.0-Fr sheath to get past the lesion in which the catheter tip was embedded. We then used a 3.0-mm plain balloon to dilate the severe stenotic lesion sufficiently to enable the removal of the stent delivery catheter. Another 6.0-mm drug-eluting stent was then deployed, after the first stent, to cover the occluded lesion in the middle part of the SFA. Hemostasis was safely achieved at both puncture sites by manual compression. A double guide technique, as in percutaneous coronary intervention, is useful for the bailout of an entrapped device during EVT. Careful consideration of the access site and size and length of the second guide sheath are necessary.