Endovascular removal of a balloon-expandable uncovered superior mesenteric artery stent

No defined strategy exists for the endovascular removal of chronically indwelling stents. Any attempt carries risks including extraction failure, stent disruption, arterial injury, and embolization. We report the successful endovascular removal of a balloon-expandable, cobalt-chromium, uncovered stent from the superior mesenteric artery. Using bilateral axillary and unilateral femoral access, the stent was retrieved under continuous control with biopsy forceps, a distal angioplasty balloon, a body-floss wire, and a large-bore femoral sheath. We describe the extraction technique and discuss key considerations for endovascular stent extraction when such approach is contemplated.