Successful Retrieval of Rota Burr After Driveshaft Fracture

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Interventional Cardiology
• Medical Device Technology

Background:

• Rotational atherectomy is a key treatment for complex coronary artery lesions.
• Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) devices, including rotational atherectomy, are widely used.
• Heavily calcified lesions pose challenges for conventional PCI.

Observation:

• A rare complication of burr disconnection from the driveshaft during rotational atherectomy is presented.
• The event occurred in a 67-year-old male patient with coronary artery disease undergoing PCI.
• The patient presented with exertional chest discomfort and had a history of hemodialysis.

Findings:

• The disconnected rotational atherectomy burr was successfully retrieved non-surgically.
• The child-in-mother technique utilizing a guide extension catheter enabled the burr removal.
• The patient remained hemodynamically stable and experienced an uncomplicated recovery.

Implications:

• This case highlights the potential for burr disconnection during rotational atherectomy.
• It demonstrates the efficacy of the child-in-mother technique for non-surgical retrieval of entrapped devices.
• This underscores the importance of awareness and preparedness for rare device complications in interventional cardiology.