Intracoronary guidewire emboli: a unique complication and retrieval of the wire

Abstract

The breakdown of the guidewire during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and the retention of the broken part inside the coronary or systemic vascular system is a rare complication. With the use of a flexible guidewire, the incidence of these complications has markedly decreased. In this case report, we report the withdrawal of a broken guidewire from the distal coronary during PCI. © 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.