Retrieval of a Migrated Coronary Stent by Cardiopulmonary Bypass

Abstract

Coronary stents are devices capable of reducing the rate of restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), and salvaging a failed PTCA, which means successfully managing a threatened closure after an unsuccessful balloon angioplasty. The basic principal is to avoid complications by pressing the intimal and medial flaps of the coronary artery against the vessel wall. This mechanism reduces the risk of thrombus formation and thus reduces the risk of acute closure and emergency bypass surgery 1. Although a series of benefits may be pointed out, there are some complications with this procedure such as femoral artery bleeding and/or formation of a pseudoaneuryms, stent malposition, migration and thrombosis 2. We report a clinical case of unsuccessful balloon expandable stent deployment with the risk of endangering the normal circumflex artery and of systemic embolization; the patient had also a femoral artery pseudoaneurysm and extensive hematoma due to aggressive anticoagulation therapy.