Consequences and treatment of guidewire entrapment and fracture during percutaneous coronary intervention

Removal of an entrapped guidewire by excimer laser coronary angioplasty in patients with chronic total occlusion intervention

Guidewire entrapment (GE) is a rare complication that warrants complex interventions or surgical procedures. Here, we report the removal of an entrapped guidewire using excimer laser coronary angioplasty (ELCA) in a case of chronic total occlusion (CTO). Plaque tissue trapped with the guidewire was also removed. Histopathological examination revealed that although specific components were entrapped with the guidewire, loosening the adjacent collagen fibres during ELCA contributed to the successful removal of the guidewire. This case showed that ELCA may be a novel modality for the removal of an entrapped guidewire in cases of CTO.

Complications of percutaneous coronary intervention

Complications of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. In-depth understanding of the mechanisms and management options of these complications as well as timely recognition and action can sometimes be lifesaving. In this review we discuss the mechanisms, prevention methods, diagnosis, and management of three major PCI complications: a) perforation b) acute vessel closure, and c) equipment loss.

Clinical expert consensus document on bailout algorithms for complications in percutaneous coronary intervention from the Japanese Association of Cardiovascular Intervention and Therapeutics

The efficacy and safety of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for coronary artery disease has been established, and approximately 250,000 PCI procedures are performed annually in Japan. However, various complications including life-threatening complications can occur during PCI. Although several bailout procedures have been proposed to address complications during PCI, it is critically important for operators to manage each complication in real catheter rooms with confidence even in emergent situations. Standard bailout methods including specific techniques should be clarified as algorithms and shared with inexperienced operators as well as experienced operators. The Task Force of the Japanese Society for Cardiovascular Intervention and Therapeutics (CVIT) has developed the expert consensus document on bailout algorithms for complications in PCI.

Injury of the superficial femoral artery and posterior tibial artery associated with an atherectomy device

OBJECTIVES

Rotational atherectomy can offer a viable treatment for occlusive peripheral artery disease; maintaining the minimal invasiveness of an endovascular procedure, while allowing for a more complete lesion debridement compared with balloon angioplasty. This case report outlines a complication of guidewire entrapment associated with rotational atherectomy in the superficial femoral artery (SFA).

METHODS

A 57-year-old male underwent an atherectomy with Rotorex for left lower limb foot pain. During the procedure, the guidewire was suctioned into the atherectomy device, preventing any further advancement of the device and damaging the SFA and posterior tibial artery (PTA).

RESULTS

The atherectomy device was withdrawn and a new vascular access site was gained in the left PTA. A covered stent was inserted to treat the original SFA lesion, and balloon angioplasty was used to repair the device-induced damaged to the PTA.

CONCLUSION

While guidewire complications have been previously reported, this case report details the first reported case, to our knowledge, of guidewire entrapment while using a rotational atherectomy device. Knowledge of this possible complication of rotational atherectomy can aid in clinical decision making when choosing between treatments for peripheral vascular disease.

Unprecedented guidewire entrapment salvaged by combined rotational atherectomy and 'Twist-wire' technique: a case report

Background

Coronary guidewire entrapment is not an uncommon complication of percutaneous coronary intervention, especially in the setting of complex coronary anatomy. Core wire fracture with uncoiling of spring wire represents a catastrophic complication, posing great technical difficulty in percutaneous retrieval.

Case summary

The patient was a 50-year-old Asian male with ischaemic cardiomyopathy and severe left ventricular impairment. Coronary angiography showed severe left main and triple-vessel disease. Coronary artery bypass graft was declined due to high surgical risk. Percutaneous coronary intervention was performed under mechanical circulatory support. However, it was complicated with guidewire entrapment and unravelling with deformity of the newly implanted stent in the left anterior descending artery. The complication was successfully bailed out by rotational atherectomy and the novel intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and enhanced stent visualization (ESV) system guided 'Twist-wire' technique. Complete wire fragments retrieval was achieved with excellent final angiographic and IVUS results immediately after procedure and at 4-month follow-up angiography.

Discussion

This case represents a rare phenomenon of branch point protrusion of stent causing guidewire-stent edge entanglement. A novel 'Twist-wire' technique with IVUS and ESV guidance was highlighted to allow successful retrieval of fluoroscopically invisible uncoiled wire filaments.

Attempted retrieval of guidewire fragment using the twisting wire technique causes coronary perfusion: Case report

RATIONALE

Guidewire fracture is one of the biggest risks of percutaneous coronary intervention, twisting wire technique is very useful for retrieving the fractured wire, but the potential risks have been inadequately reported. Herein, we present a case of retrieval of guidewire fragments using the twisting wire technique that causes coronary perfusion.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 37-year-old male patient was admitted to our hospital for elective percutaneous coronary intervention of the left circumflex coronary artery.

CLINICAL FINDINGS

For chronic total occlusion of the distal left circumflex coronary artery, antegrade recanalization by wire escalation, and parallel wire techniques were attempted. However, we shockingly found that the BMW guidewire, anchored in the right coronary artery, spontaneously fractured from the proximal right coronary artery, and a lengthy fragment of the guidewire remained in the coronary.

DIAGNOSES, INTERVENTIONS, AND OUTCOMES

Many attempts were made to retrieve the remnant guidewire including the twisting wire technique, which leads to the perforation of the coronary.

OUTCOMES

Finally, percutaneous retrieving procedures were stopped in favor of surgical extraction via a small coronary arteriotomy. This procedure was successful.

LESSONS

To the best of our knowledge, the present case is the first reported spontaneous fracture of the guidewire. Leaving such a lengthy remnant guidewire in the artery, or leaving stenting over the wire, would impose a high risk of coronary thrombosis, perforation, and embolization. Yet, the perforation of the artery that occurred in this case, which could have had life-threatening consequences, resulted from our attempts to retrieve the guidewire using the twisting wire technique.

Safe and predictable transcatheter removal of broken coronary guidewires: the 'knuckle-twister' technique: a case series report

Background

Guidewire fracture and loss is a rare but well-known and feared complication of percutaneous coronary interventions. With the increasing number of complex coronary interventions and procedures for chronic total occlusions, operators face new challenges and boundaries, and the need for solutions to otherwise rare complications is increasing.

Case summary

We have developed a simple and practical method for retrieving fractured and lost guidewires, called the 'knuckle-twister' technique. This article summarizes seven cases in which guidewires lost in the coronary vasculature have been successfully removed and describes this technique in detail. The goal was to gather different clinical scenarios: free wire lost in situ, wire jailed behind stent struts, wire in small branches, part of the wire protruding into the aorta, 'invisible' guidewire microfilaments/coils, etc.

Discussion

The innovation of the knuckle-twister consists in folding a polymer-jacketed guidewire and transforming it into an open lasso that tightens when twisted. In vitro, its grip strength and pulling force was tested and exceeded 1.5 kg. Moreover, in all in vivo cases, the lost material could be efficiently and quite rapidly retrieved with this simple and highly reproducible technique.

Key clinical message

Broken guidewires that were lost in the coronary vasculature can be safely retrieved with this novel and simple technique requiring no special safety equipment.

Management of Acute Complications during Endovascular Procedures in Peripheral Arterial Disease: A Review

Endovascular therapy, as opposed to surgical bypass, has become the mainstay for peripheral arterial disease even in long segment occlusions. Complications can occur during the arterial access, catheter manipulation, balloon dilation, and/or stent placement. Given the high prevalence of comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, renal dysfunction, and coronary artery disease in these patients, early identification of procedural complications and initiation of treatment are of paramount importance. This review aims to provide comprehensive data on the identification and management of commonly encountered endovascular complications during endovascular interventions in peripheral arterial disease.

Jailed pressure wire technique for coronary bifurcation lesions: structural damage and clinical outcomes

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

The use of a pressure wire as a jailed wire to evaluate side branch results during provisional stenting seems feasible. However, safety concerns exist due to the mechanical damage of the wire and the lack of prospective data evaluating the prognosis of patients treated using this technique. This study sought to evaluate the structural damage of the pressure wire in patients treated using the jailed pressure wire technique and to assess mid-term clinical outcomes.

METHODS

We enrolled 99 patients with single bifurcation lesions and provisional stenting as the strategy of choice. A jailed pressure wire was used to guide side branch intervention according to the instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR). A total of 114 patients and the respective nonpolymer-coated jailed wires were used as historical controls. Guidewire damage was evaluated by stereomicroscopy. The primary endpoint was significant microscopic damage. Major adverse cardiac events were evaluated at 2-year follow-up.

RESULTS

Significant microscopic damage was more frequent in pressure wires than in nonpolymer-coated wires (53.5% vs 22.8%, P<.001). There were no fractures in either group. There were fewer side branch interventions in the pressure wire group (postdilation/kissing balloon, 32.3% vs 56.1%, P=.001; stenting, 0.0% vs 2.6%, P=.104). The 2-year rate of major adverse cardiac events was similar between the 2 groups (HR_adj, 0.42; 95%CI, 0.10-1.73; P=.229).

CONCLUSIONS

Pressure wires were less resistant to jailing than conventional nonpolymer-coated wires. Patients treated with iFR-guided provisional stenting required fewer side branch interventions but had similar 2-year clinical outcomes than patients treated with the angiography-guided technique.

Retrieving entrapped guidewire using rotablation technique: case series and literature review

Background

The present article summarizes three cases of retrieving entrapped guidewire using rotablation technique.

Case summary

All three cases pertained to guidewire being fractured and entrapped during percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) for right coronary artery (RCA) chronic total occlusion in a local hospital. In Case 1, two fractured filaments connecting to the entrapped guidewire could be clearly seen. One filament was in the right brachial artery and the other one was in the ascending aorta. In Case 2, the operator applied buddy wire technique during PCI but forgot to withdraw the second wire before stenting. As a result, the second SION wire was entrapped by the stent and was untangled and fractured when being retrieved. In Case 3, a SION guidewire was entrapped during PCI for RCA. The initial attempt to retrieve the guidewire ended in failure. Although the entrapped guidewire was still intact, it was difficult to advance the floppy rotawire into the RCA as it was still totally occluded. In those scenarios, complete retrieval of the entrapped guidewire using catheter-based technique was hardly possible. Rotablation was used to cut the entrapped guidewire, retrieve the broken end, and leave the remnants in coronary artery jailed by the stent. Clinical and angiographic follow-up observation demonstrated that the patients were free of target vessel failure.

Discussion

Entrapment of guidewire is a rare complication of PCI. The management of entrapped guidewire is usually challenging. Rotablation technique is a useful and efficient strategy when conventional methods failed to retrieve the entrapped guidewire.

Device entrapment during percutaneous coronary intervention

INTRODUCTION

Device entrapment is a life-threatening complication during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). However, the success for its management is predominantly based on operator experience with limited available guidance in the published literature.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed on December 2021; we searched PubMed for articles on device entrapment during PCI. In addition, backward snowballing (i.e., review of references from identified articles and pertinent reviews) was employed.

RESULTS

A total of 4209 articles were retrieved, of which 150 studies were included in the synthesis of the data. A methodical algorithmic approach to prevention and management of device entrapment can help to optimize outcomes. The recommended sequence of steps are as follows: (a) pulling, (b) trapping, (c) snaring, (d) plaque modification, (e) telescoping, and (f) surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

In-depth knowledge of the techniques and necessary tools can help optimize the likelihood of successful equipment retrieval and minimization of complications.

A case report of fractured guidewire removal by rotational atherectomy

BACKGROUND

Fractures occur in association with manipulation and because of the complexity of the coronary artery, and they can cause a series of serious complications, such as myocardial infarction and secondary thrombosis. Common treatments for fractured guidewires include conservative, interventional and surgical methods.

CASE PRESENTATIONS

A 67-year-old male was admitted to our institute. He had recurrent chest tightness and chest pain for half a month, which worsened in one day. He was diagnosed with acute non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Guidewire fracture was caused by improper manipulation during percutaneous coronary intervention. We successfully performed rotational atherectomy to remove the fractured guidewire. His symptoms, and condition improved 6 weeks after the removal of fractured guidewire.

CONCLUSION

Physicians should have higher requirements for the quality of the guidewires and operation techniques.

Device entrapment during percutaneous coronary intervention of chronic total occlusions: incidence and management strategies

BACKGROUND

Equipment delivery in chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) can be challenging and it is associated with a higher risk of device entrapment. Data regarding the incidence of device entrapment during CTO PCI are lacking.

AIMS

The aim of this study was to describe the incidence and procedural characteristics of device entrapment in patients undergoing PCI for CTOs and discuss management strategies for dealing with it.

METHODS

Device entrapment was characterised in a large consecutive series of 2,361 CTO PCI cases performed by five high-volume CTO Italian operators between January 2015 and January 2020.

RESULTS

Device entrapment occurred in 36 out of 2,361 cases (1.5%) and consisted of coronary guidewires in 13 (0.5%), microcatheters in 6 (0.2%), balloons in 6 (0.2%), rotational atherectomy burrs in 10 (0.4%) and guiding catheter extension in 1 patient (0.04%). Complete device retrieval was achieved in 63.9%, with at least partial removal of material in 97.2%. Vessel recanalisation was still possible in 86.1% of cases even after device entrapment. Intraprocedural myocardial infarction occurred in 3 patients (8.3%), tamponade with urgent pericardiocentesis in 1 (2.8%) and emergency surgical removal of the entrapped device in 1 patient (2.8%). Mean radiation dose was 4.7±2.3 Gy. At 30-day follow-up, one patient died with stent thrombosis of a non-target vessel and another required repeat percutaneous revascularisation.

CONCLUSIONS

Device entrapment during CTO revascularisations is a rare but potentially severe complication. We describe and discuss current techniques of percutaneous retrieval that can be employed to achieve procedural success safely.

Complications and failure modes of polymer-jacketed guidewires; insights from the MAUDE database

BACKGROUND

The modes of failure of coronary polymer-jacketed guidewires have received limited study.

METHODS

We queried the Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) database between January 2011 and December 2020 for reports on coronary polymer-jacketed guidewires and retrieved 254 reports.

RESULTS

The most common failure mode was failure of the guidewire to cross (36.2%), followed by guidewire fracture (35%), peeling of the polymer jacket (13.8%), failure to retrieve the guidewire (13.8%), and guidewire unraveling (4.7%). Guidewire fracture was more common with soft (37.3%) compared with stiff (23.8%) guidewires. Failure of retrieval was only reported with soft guidewires (9%). Coronary perforation and dissection occurred in 19.7% and 7.9% of the reports, with more reports with stiff as compared with soft guidewires (45.2% vs. 14.6% for perforation and 21.4% vs. 5.3% for dissection).

CONCLUSIONS

The most common failure modes of polymer-jacketed guidewires during percutaneous coronary intervention are failure to cross the lesion, guidewire fracture, and peeling of the polymer jacket. Coronary perforations were more common with stiff whereas wire fracture was more common with soft polymer-jacketed guidewires.

Management of Microcatheter Fracture in Complex Percutaneous Coronary Intervention With Laser Atherectomy

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE

Microcatheters and dedicated guidewires for both chronic total occlusion (CTO) and non-CTO percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are increasingly being used to overcome complex coronary anatomy with severe tortuosity and calcification. In extremely resistant lesions, a potential over-rotation and device fatigue may result in entrapment or even fracture causing abrupt vessel closure and hinder successful revascularization.

METHOD/RESULT

We demonstrate two consecutive cases complicated with dislodged microcatheter tip which was rescued uniquely with coronary laser atherectomy. We describe an algorithmic approach for management of microcatheter fracture which are increasingly occur in contemporary practice of complex PCI.

CONCLUSION

In summary, our cases illustrate the feasibility of using coronary excimer laser system to release fractured and entrapped intracoronary MC tips when other conventional percutaneous techniques fail.

When Things Get Stuck: Gear Entrapment and Other Complications of Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Complex coronary artery intervention stresses the limits of both the operator's skills as well as the equipment being used for the procedure. This article is focused on avoiding, recognizing and dealing with device failure and gear entrapment during complex coronary intervention. The operator must understand how to avoid these complications by understanding the limits of devices and the need for adequate vessel preparation. This article focuses on giving the reader an algorithmic approach to recognizing when device failure/entrapment occurs and what specific maneuvers can be done to retrieve different devices and equipment safely.

Lost in circulation

BACKGROUND

Device complications in complex percutaneous coronary interventions are rare but potentially deadly. Surgical removal is often required. However, an evaluation of surgical therapy beyond case reports is practically not existent.

METHODS

We prospectively followed all cases of retained guide wires and/or other devices referred to us for surgical removal between 2015 and 2019 and retrospectively searched our database for such cases between 2010 and 2014.

RESULTS

From 2015 on, eight cases were referred for surgical removal from six different cardiology departments. In the 5 years before, there was not a single case. Six patients were operated emergently. Patients were 60.5 ± 5.42 years old, overweight (body mass index 30.1 ± 3.77) and except for one case (left ventricular-assist device) showed preserved ejection fraction (EF) (mean EF 57 ± 18.01). The retained devices were mostly located in the right coronary artery (50%), followed by the circumflex artery (37.5%) and diagonal branch (12.5%). The devices were remnants of guide wires (n = 4), balloon catheters (n = 3), and in one case a rotablator. Full sternotomy was performed in six patients and two received a left-sided minithoracotomy (n = 2). The operations were performed on-pump in five (62.5%) and off-pump in three patients. Complete extraction of the foreign bodies was possible in all patients. Two patients died; one in unrelated multiorgan failure and one due to retained-device-related right heart failure. The other patients survived and had uneventful postoperative courses.

CONCLUSIONS

Retained foreign bodies from cardiac interventions can be completely removed surgically using individualized approaches. There appears to be a trend toward a rising incidence of such interventional complications.

Management of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Complications: Algorithms From the 2018 and 2019 Seattle Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Complications Conference

Complications of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) may have significant impact on patient survival and healthcare costs. PCI procedural complexity and patient risk are increasing, and operators must be prepared to recognize and treat complications, such as perforations, dissections, hemodynamic collapse, no-reflow, and entrapped equipment. Unfortunately, few resources exist to train operators in PCI complication management. Uncertainty regarding complication management could contribute to the undertreatment of patients with high-complexity coronary disease. We, therefore, coordinated the Learning From Complications: How to Be a Better Interventionalist courses to disseminate the collective experience of high-volume PCI operators with extensive experience in chronic total occlusion and high-risk PCI. From these conferences in 2018 and 2019, we developed algorithms that emphasize early recognition, effective treatment, and team-based care of PCI complications. We think that an algorithmic approach will result in a logical and systematic response to life-threatening complications. This construct may be useful for operators who plan to perform complex PCI procedures.

Bailout bypass surgery for complications of coronary interventions

BACKGROUND

Mechanical complications of percutaneous coronary interventions are treated percutaneously in most cases. If the rescue intervention is unsuccessful, bailout bypass surgery is necessary to restore the coronary flow. The surgical risk in these cases is higher than that of patients operated on for other indications. The aim of our study was to characterize patients who underwent surgical treatment at our institution and to compare their long-term outcomes with patients who underwent emergency bypass surgery for other indications.

METHODS

We analyzed 707 consecutive patients who underwent isolated emergency bypass surgery at our institution from 2007 to 2015. In 44 of these cases, the surgery was necessitated by mechanical complications of percutaneous coronary interventions. There were 31 coronary dissections, 5 entrapped guidewires, and 8 coronary perforations. We compared patients in these three groups with one another. Follow-up was performed to assess long-term outcomes.

RESULTS

The median age of the cohort was 68 years (range 59-75 years), and 36 (81.8%) patients presented in cardiogenic shock. Thirty-seven (84.1%) patients had history of a percutaneous coronary intervention. The courses were typical for bypass patients. The long-term survival was similar in all three subgroups (p = 0.16). The survival profiles within our sample did not differ significantly from that in patients who underwent emergency bypass surgery for other indications.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical risk and short- and long-term outcomes of patients undergoing emergency bypass surgery due to mechanical complications of percutaneous coronary interventions are similar to those of patients receiving the same surgery for other indications.

Successful Retrieval of a Stuck Guidewire by Guiding Catheter Lock Technique in Renal Artery Stenting

Introduction

The guiding catheter lock technique is a therapeutic technique to increase backup force of the guiding catheter in coronary artery interventions.

Surgical technique

A 71 year old man presented with rapidly declining kidney function resulting from bilateral renal artery stenosis. During the renal artery stenting procedure, the 0.014" guidewire became trapped at the stent's distal edge. Although attempts were made to advance a microcatheter and balloon catheter over the trapped guidewire, these failed because of insufficient pushability of the guiding catheter. Therefore, the guiding catheter lock technique was used with a second guiding catheter, and the guidewire was successfully retrieved.

Discussion

The guiding catheter lock technique facilitated strong pushability to allow for successful retrieval of a stuck guidewire during renal artery stenting.

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During renal artery stenting, a guidewire was trapped at the stent's distal edge.

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The stuck guidewire was retrieved using the guiding catheter lock technique.

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The guiding catheter lock technique can be useful for bailout of a stuck guidewire.

Surgical rescue of guidewire in-stent entrapment during coronary angioplasty

During a percutaneous coronary procedure, the device may become stuck and break in the coronary circulation. This complication occurs in 0.1% of all procedures. Even with technological improvements, this event still happens because percutaneous coronary interventions are frequently used to treat complex lesions. We report a case of a patient undergoing a percutaneous stenting procedure in which the 0.014″ guidewire was caught in the right coronary artery. Removal of the guidewire was impossible, and it broke in the brachiocephalic artery. Emergency coronary artery bypass grafting was performed.

A retained guidewire fractured with subsequent pericardial tamponade two years after endovascular neurointervention

Entrapment of aneurysm embolization hardware is an extremely rare complication of endovascular neurointerventional procedures. We describe a case of a retained guidewire in a 42-year-old male during an aneurysm embolization. After unsuccessful attempts at removal via interventional methods, we decided to leave the guidewire within the vessel. A guidewire fracture resulted in several fragments in the carotid artery and aorta with subsequent cardiac tamponade, pseudoaneurysm and aortojejunal fistula two years later. The fragments in the aorta were removed via interventional and surgical methods. We advocate early surgical management of the retained guidewires after unsuccessful retractions via interventional methods. Meticulous and gentle maneuvering is necessary to prevent such serious complications.

Optical Coherence Tomographic Study of a Chronically Retained Coronary Guidewire

Guidewire entrapment is a rare complication of coronary intervention, and management depends on the individual circumstances. This is a case of an urgent percutaneous coronary angioplasty in which a guidewire became entrapped behind a bare metal stent with subsequent fracture of the core filament, which could not be retrieved. Using optical coherence tomography, our case demonstrates extensive tissue coverage of the retained guidewire at twelve months. Five-year follow-up suggests that retained guidewires can be managed without long-term anticoagulation, even when there is substantial intra-aortic material.

Usefulness of the twin guidewire method during retrieval of the broken tip of a microcatheter entrapped in a heavily calcified coronary artery

During percutaneous coronary intervention performed for a stenotic lesion with heavy calcification in the left coronary artery, the microcatheter tip became transected in the vessel. The fragment was successfully retrieved using the twin guidewire method after negotiating to cross a chronic total occlusion-dedicated guidewire outside the retained tip.

Peripheral Atherectomy: Applications and Techniques

Peripheral atherectomy is a class of procedures that is rapidly increasing in volume. Multiple classes of devices exist, and newer variants are added to the market annually. The devices see wide application for de novo lesions, in-stent restenosis, and adjunctive therapy for drug-coated balloons. The body of evidence supporting atherectomy is less robust than for many other peripheral therapies. The frequency and severity of complications from atherectomy can be significant compared with angioplasty and stenting, and familiarity with preventative and bailout techniques is essential for the interventionalist.