Snare extraction of a fractured coronary stent in a saphenous vein graft.

Retrieval of intravascular objects can be accomplished through snare retrieval. We report a case in which a patient presented with symptomatic in-stent restenosis caused by a fractured aorto-ostial sirolimus-eluting stent in a saphenous vein graft. Because of the inability to selectively engage the stent ostium with the guide catheter, the fractured stent was removed with an endovascular snare in order to permit successful revascularization. With the proximal portion of the stent retrieved by the snare, a new stent was implanted without complication. Copyright (c) 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.