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Snare-Assisted Retrieval of an Embolized Long Coronary Guidewire From the Aortic Arch
Dibyasundar Mahanta1, Kowtarapu Sai Karthik2, Saran Mohanan2
1Cardiology, SUM Hospital, Bhubaneswar, IND.
Insights
A rare case involved retrieving an embolized coronary guidewire from the aortic arch using a gooseneck snare. This method proved effective when other snares failed, offering a viable solution for complex guidewire retrieval.
Area of Science:
- Interventional Cardiology
- Medical Device Retrieval
Background:
- Guidewire embolization is a rare but serious complication during coronary angiography.
- Transradial coronary angiography is a common procedure for diagnosing unstable angina.
Observation:
- An elderly male experienced guidewire embolization in the aortic arch during a transradial coronary angiogram.
- A flower petal snare failed to retrieve the embolized guidewire from the brachial artery and aortic root.
Findings:
- Successful retrieval of the embolized coronary guidewire was achieved using a gooseneck snare.
- The gooseneck snare effectively captured the proximal end of the guidewire within the aortic arch.
Implications:
- The gooseneck snare is a valuable tool for retrieving embolized coronary guidewires in challenging anatomical locations.
- This case highlights the importance of having alternative retrieval devices available for managing procedural complications in interventional cardiology.
Abstract:
We report an extremely rare case of gooseneck snare-assisted retrieval of an embolized coronary guidewire from the aortic arch in an elderly male scheduled for a transradial coronary angiogram for unstable angina. In this case, the proximal end of the embolized coronary guidewire could not be retrieved from the brachial artery nor the roomy aortic root using a flower petal snare. The key takeaway from this case is that an embolized coronary guidewire can be successfully retrieved with a gooseneck snare from its proximal end in a moderately spacious area like the aortic arch.
