Percutaneous transcatheter retrieval of retained balloon catheter in distal tortuous coronary artery: a modified double-helix approach.

The rapid increase in the incidence of retained components in the coronary arteries during angioplasty raises the question of the optimal approach in these cases. Management extends from simply leaving the fragment behind to aggressive surgical removal. Increasingly, percutaneous approaches are being considered. A new percutaneous two-guidewire helix method has been reported. We describe a case of successful retrieval of an angioplasty balloon using this approach. Copyright 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.