Percutaneous retrieval of lost or misplaced intravascular objects.
OBJECTIVE
We report on our experience with percutaneous interventional techniques for retrieval of intravascular foreign bodies or repositioning of misplaced endovascular prostheses.


METHODS
Over a period of 6 years, we attempted percutaneous treatment of intravascular foreign bodies in 45 patients. The 45 foreign objects consisted of 12 endovascular stents, 14 catheter fragments, 11 embolization coils, four guidewire fragments, three vena cava filters, and one cardiac valve fragment. Percutaneous extraction was performed using a combination of multipurpose catheters and nitinol snare loop or grasping forceps. Depending on their composition, misplaced or dislodged intravascular stents were either repositioned or percutaneously removed.


RESULTS
Percutaneous intervention was successful in 41 (91.1%) of 45 patients. Of 38 patients on whom we performed percutaneous removal, the procedure was successful in 34 patients (89.5%), including 13 of the 14 patients with catheter fragments, all four of the patients with guidewire fragments, 10 of the 11 patients with misplaced or dislodged embolization coils, four of the five patients with misplaced or dislodged endovascular stents, and all three of the patients with misplaced or dislodged vena cava filters. The procedure was not successful in the one patient with a cardiac valve fragment. All seven of the percutaneous repositioning procedures we performed resulted in the endovascular stent being successfully repositioned in a stable intravascular position. Most of the retrieval procedures (77.7%) were performed using the nitinol snare as the primary instrument. No late complications were registered during the follow-up period, which ranged from 9 to 68 months (mean, 42.4 months overall).


CONCLUSIONS
Percutaneous techniques for the extraction of intravascular foreign objects or for repositioning of dislocated endovascular stents are highly effective with a low rate of complications and should always be the primary method of choice.
Gabelmann
A
A
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University Clinics of Ulm, Robert-Koch-Str., D-89081 Ulm, Germany.
Kramer
S
S
Gorich
J
J
D001808:Blood Vessels; D002404:Catheterization; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000295:instrumentation; D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D015607:Stents