ABSTRACT
Percutaneous retrieval of foreign bodies The use of indwelling catheters as well as the application of percutaneous diagnostic and revascularization procedures has grown exponentially over the past decade. As a result, endovascular therapists are sometimes confronted with the problem of misplacement or migration of some of these devices into unintended and potentially dangerous anatomical locations. The rate of serious complications associated with foreign body embolism has been reported to be as high as 71% with a mortality rate ranging from 24 to 60%.1
Consequently, non-surgical removal of misplaced intravascular foreign bodies is desirable. In the last few years, there have been several reports regarding the successful percutaneous retrieval of these devices. Some of these experiences are discussed in the present section.
