Transluminal extraction of a catheter fragment from the aortic arch

Many different techniques have been previously reported for non-surgical transluminal removal of foreign bodies from venous system or right heart chambers, while only few cases of transluminal extraction from arterial vascular bed or left heart chambers have been published. We report a successful attempt of a Judkins' catheter fragment extraction from the aortic arch by a homemade loop-snare device. Tying the distal end of a long flexible guide-wire on the tip of a 8F Cournand catheter we obtained an easy to handle device which is practicable using instruments always available in any catheterization room.