Successful Endovascular Retrieval of Retained Coronary Devices

A 74-year-old male with recent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to the left circumflex artery undergoes staged PCI to the left anterior descending artery (LAD).

The patient presents for PCI to LAD, and coronary wires were placed in the LAD and diagonal branch. After stent deployment to the LAD, the diagonal was rewired through the stent struts. However, balloons would not pass over this wire, and upon retrieval of the wire, stent and wire dislodgement into the aorta were seen angiographically. The patient remained stable and was transferred to a surgically-capable facility. Multidisciplinary discussion led to percutaneous snare retrieval of the retained materials.

Retained coronary devices are a rare yet serious complication of PCI. It is fundamental to utilize techniques to minimize its occurrence. When it does occur, early recognition, emergent stabilization, and prompt intervention are critical in minimizing poor outcomes.

Multidisciplinary approaches are essential for managing retained coronary equipment, providing safer and more effective patient outcomes.