Endovascular Management of Lost or Misplaced Intravascular Objects: Experiences of 12 Years

This paper reports our experience with endovascular techniques for the retrieval of lost or misplaced intravascular objects. Over 12 years, 78 patients were referred for interventional retrieval of intravascular foreign objects. In this retrospective study, radiological procedure records and patients’ medical records were reviewed to determine the exact removal procedure in every case, to report success rates, and to identify significant procedure-related complications. Written, informed consent was obtained from all patients prior to the intervention; this retrospective analysis was performed according to the guidelines of the Institutional Review Board. Thirty-six of seventy-eight foreign objects (46%) were located in the venous system, 27 of 78 (35%) in the right heart, and 15 of 78 (19%) in the pulmonary arteries. For foreign object removal, in 71 of 78 (91%) cases a snare loop was used, in 6 of 78 (8%) cases a sidewinder catheter combined with a snare loop was used, and in 1 case (1%) a sidewinder catheter alone was used for foreign object removal. In 68 of 78 (87%) cases, primary success was achieved. In 3 of 78 cases (4%), foreign objects were successfully mobilized to the femoral vessels and surgically removed. In 7 of 78 cases (9%), complete removal of the foreign object was not possible. In 5 of 78 cases (6%), minor complications occurred during the removal procedure. In conclusion, endovascular retrieval of lost or misplaced intravascular objects is highly effective, with relatively few minor complications. On the basis of our findings, these techniques should be considered as the therapy of choice.