Magnetic wire lock: prevention and correction to avoid wire fracture.

This report illustrates an undescribed mechanism causing magnetic angioplasty wire fracture and describes how to avoid its occurrence and how to correct it, if it occurs. The cause is the transition point in the wire between a flexible wire shaft and the inflexible magnetic tip of a magnetically enabled wire. In the first stage of the problem, the wire becomes trapped in a doubled-back position. Subsequently, traction causes the second stage that kinks the wire and hooks behind a structure, in this case, a stent, causing magnetic wire lock. Further traction has a high chance of wire fracture. Correction, although challenging, remains possible before wire fracture occurs. Although there is no intrinsic problem with the technology, attention to this problem by the operator will reduce its occurrence and therefore its sequelae.