[Mobilization and retrieval of an entrapped guidewire in the righ coronary artery].

The elective PTCA of a highly stenotic right coronary artery was complicated by intracoronary entrapment of the guidewire. After transfer to a hospital with a stand-by cardiosurgical team, the interventional mobilization and withdrawal of the wire was performed. Initially the attempt to position a balloon-catheter through the entrapped guidewire failed due to a localized radiolucent piece of material attached to the tip of the wire. After introduction of an additional guidewire and consecutive dilation of the stenosis, gradual mobilization and removal of the wire was successful. During this maneuver the distal part of the guidewire ruptured and was caught in a side branch of the right femoral artery, where it could finally be retrieved, using a conventional retrieving device in a crossover technique. Intracoronary entrapment is a rare but potentially dangerous complication during coronary interventions, every cardiologist should be aware of, especially when treating tortuous vessels.