Adjustment of Malpositioned Woven EndoBridge Device Using Gooseneck Snare: Complication Management Technique

The Woven EndoBridge (WEB) is an intrasaccular flow-disrupting device for the treatment of wide-necked saccular cerebral aneurysms. As with any neuroendovascular device, complications in the form of malpositioning and migration must be managed quickly and safely. Few studies have reported complication management techniques in instances of dislocated or migrated WEB devices. We retrospectively describe a case of a malpositioned WEB device that was successfully adjusted with the use of a gooseneck snare. Multiple other intra-procedural bailout strategies for management of WEB malposition and migration were considered, and are herein discussed. Operators should be aware of the causes of WEB malposition and a variety of bailout strategies.

Retrieval and repositioning of an embolized atrial septal defect closure device using a gooseneck snare

Background Closure of all haemodynamically significant atrial septal defects (ASDs) is recommended irrespective of symptoms. Percutaneous device closure offers a favourable alternative to surgery with lower morbidity, shorter duration of hospital stays, and avoidance of a surgical scar. Though device closure is generally a safe procedure with high success rates, certain complications can arise including device embolization which poses a significant challenge for the treating team. We report one such case in which the ASD closure device got spontaneously released and embolized from the delivery cable into the left atrium prior to its deployment. We describe our approach for its retrieval and subsequently its successful deployment across the septal defect using a gooseneck snare. Case presentation A 5-year-old asymptomatic child was found to have a murmur on a routine check-up. Evaluation revealed a haemodynamically significant, 18-mm ostium secundum ASD with normal pulmonary pressures and suitable margins for device closure. A 20-mm ASD closure device was traversed via an 8-Fr delivery system. While manipulating the left atrial (LA) disc from the right upper pulmonary vein (RUPV) approach, the device got spontaneously released. The right atrial (RA) disc was caught across the ASD, into the left atrium. This was confirmed by intraoperative transthoracic echocardiography and fluoroscopy. The haemodynamics and rhythm were stable. A 20-mm gooseneck snare was immediately passed through the delivery sheath and an attempt was made to catch the screw. With difficulty, the RA screw was caught with the snare and multiple attempts to retrieve the device into the sheath were unsuccessful. However, while negotiating, we were able to secure a favourable position of the device across the atrial septal defect, and after fluoroscopic and echocardiographic confirmation, the device was released. The child remained stable thereafter and was discharged 2 days later. Conclusions Gooseneck snare is a valuable tool in the management of embolized ASD closure device. Occasionally, like in the index case, one may be successful in retrieving the embolized device and repositioning it across the ASD using a gooseneck snare, thus obviating the need for emergency surgery.

Removal of Migrated Esophageal Stents in the Stomach Under the Guidance of Fluoroscopy: a Single-center Retrospective Study

Background: Migrated esophageal self-expandable metal stents (SEMSs) increase the risk of bowel obstruction or perforation. The endoscopic removal of migrated stents is extremely difficult due to the inability to observe the distal end of the stent during retrieval. Here, we report our experience removing migrated esophageal stents in the stomach under the guidance of fluoroscopy.Material and methods: The clinical data of patients with esophageal stents that migrated to the stomach between January 2016 and March 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. A total of 27 patients (9 females and 18 males) were included in this study. Three methods of retrieval were considered: direct removal via a fixed string, direct removal via a retrieval hook, and retrieval via guide wire and gooseneck snare.Results: A total of 28 migrated esophageal stents in the stomachs of 27 patients were successfully removed under the guidance of fluoroscopy by the three methods mentioned above: 10 cases of direct removal via a fixed string, 14 cases of direct removal via a retrieval hook, and 3 cases of retrieval via a guide wire. The stent removal time was 18 (7-60) minutes. During the operation, one patient had a small amount of esophageal bleeding that was cured after symptomatic treatment, and one patient had a residual fracture stent wire that was removed under endoscopy.Conclusion: The removal of migrated esophageal stents in the stomach under the guidance of fluoroscopy is a feasible and safe procedure.

Unexpected Complication of Central Venous Catheter Exchange: Catheter Fragment Migration

Tunneled central venous catheter (TCVC) placement is often an easy and uncomplicated procedure. As such, some clinicians pay little attention to the procedure, and different complications occurred. Catheter fragment loss in major vessels is a rare but serious complication of in situ catheter exchange with few reported cases in the literature. Once catheter fragments slip into a deep vein, endovascular retrieval should be attempted, due to its high success rate and minimal associated morbidity. A 37-year-old male patient underwent replacement of his temporary catheter with TCVC through a trans-right-internal-jugular-vein approach for maintenance of dialysis. As a major unintended outcome of the operation, a catheter fragment slipped into the right internal jugular vein, then migrated and lodged in the inferior vena cava. We retrieved it with a gooseneck snare without complications. We report the case hoping to emphasize on and raise awareness of the fact that catheter fragment loss is a completely evitable complication, provided the operator follows the correct safety measures and protocols. However, if catheter fragment loss occurred, the fragment should be retrieved as soon as possible. A gooseneck snare is an ideal option for retrieving catheter fragments that have migrated into deep veins.

P1507Experience in chronical lead extraction with ablation catheter and snare via femoral route

Background Transvenous lead extraction may become a complicated process and special sheath systems used for extraction may not be available in the laboratory. Transvenous lead extraction from femoral vein by using ablation catheter and snare may be an alternative and cost-effective method to transvenous lead extraction with specialized lead extraction sheaths. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the factors that may be associated with the use of transfemoral technique during extraction of chronically implanted leads. Methods We retrospectively analyzed consecutive patients who underwent transvenous extraction of pacemaker, cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) and intracardiac defibrillator (ICD) leads in our institution in between 01.01.2016 and 01.01.2019. The indications for lead extraction were based on the European Heart Rhythm Association recommendations. Manual traction was applied to all leads at the beginning of each case. If manual traction was not successful, a subclavian approach by using locking stylet (Liberator Universal Locking Stylet, Cook Medical) or femoral approach was used. Femoral approach was performed using the flexible 13F long sheath and a second sheath for ablation catheter. Ablation catheter was wrapped around the lead and the tip of the ablation catheter was caught with gooseneck snare. Downward traction was applied on the body of the lead by using ablation catheter and gooseneck snare complex to release either end of the lead. Results A total of 160 leads in 94 patients were extracted during the time interval between 01.01.2016 and 01.01.2019. The indications for extraction were cardiac device related pocket erosion and infection in 71 (75.6%) and lead failure in the 23 (24.4%) cases. Extracted system was ICD in 48 (51.1%), CRT in 9 (9.6%) and pacemaker in 37 (39.3%) cases. The median time from the preceding procedure was 62.5 (IQR:32.3- 95.3) months. Lead extraction was performed by manual traction in 35 (37.2%) patients, by locking stylet method in 7 (7.4%) and by femoral approach in 52 (55.3%) patients. Clinical success was achieved in 93 (98.9%) cases and all of the patients discharged uneventfully without a major complication as death, cardiac avulsion or tear requiring pericardiocentesis or emergent surgery. Procedural success with femoral approach was achieved in 51/52 (98%) patients (99 leads). Ordinal regression revealed the time from the preceding procedure as the only parameter that was significantly associated with the usage of femoral approach (OR:1.065 ( 95% CI 1.039-1.100) p < 0.001). Conclusion Based on our experience, transfemoral approach by using ablation catheter and gooseneck snare seems to be an effective and safe method for chronically implanted lead extraction. It may be particularly be useful when manual traction is unsuccessful and special toolkids are not available for extraction.

Retrieval strategy for ruptured balloon with circumferential tear during angioplasty for arteriovenous fistula in hemodialysis patients

Introduction: Balloon angioplasty is a common endovascular procedure. The balloon for angioplasty sometimes ruptures (incidence, 3.6%–10%), and it is constructed such that it ruptures in a longitudinal direction and complications related to rupture are rare. However, on rare occasions, retrieval is challenging, especially in the case of ruptures with a circumferential tear. There is no established method for retrieval and careful retrieval is required due to the risk of embolization by the residual balloon fragment. Technique: We describe two cases of balloon rupture in the transverse direction during percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for arteriovenous fistula in hemodialysis patients. In these cases, the balloon ruptured with a circumferential tear and dissected into two parts, and the tip edge remained in the vessel. We inserted an additional introducer at the side of the tip edge, caught the guidewire by a gooseneck snare, and hooked the residual balloon fragment. This also stabilized and increased the stiffness of the guidewire through the “pull-through technique.” Then, we reintroduced the gooseneck snare to catch the residual balloon. We then inserted a cobra-head catheter from the first introducer and pushed the residual balloon. We finally retrieved the ruptured balloon by pulling back the gooseneck snare and pushing using the cobra-head catheter simultaneously. Results: We could retrieve the ruptured balloons successfully using this technique and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was continued in both cases. Conclusion: Our technique of retrieval may be suitable for cases of balloon rupture with a circumferential tear during percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. The technique enables less invasive retrieval and continuation of the percutaneous transluminal angioplasty thereafter.

Homemade Device to Facilitate Percutaneous Venous Arterialization in Patients With No-Option Critical Limb Ischemia

Purpose: To describe a maneuver to facilitate percutaneous arteriovenous fistula creation during venous arterialization procedures in patients with no-option critical limb ischemia. Technique: Following a failed arterial recanalization attempt, a balloon catheter is passed up to the tip of the guidewire. Venous access is gained distally, a 4-F sheath is antegradely passed, and a 4-mm GooseNeck snare is advanced through it. A fluoroscopic view that overlaps the snare and the inflated balloon is obtained. If the vein remains anterior with respect to the artery, a needle is inserted across the vein, passing through the snare loop and puncturing the intra-arterial balloon. A wire is inserted and placed inside the punctured balloon. The balloon is retrieved and the wire externalized through the femoral access. A catheter is advanced antegradely over this wire from the artery into the vein. If the vein remains posterior to the artery, a needle is inserted, puncturing the balloon and thereafter the vein (crossing through the snare). A wire is inserted, captured by the snare, and externalized through the vein sheath. A catheter is finally advanced over this wire from the vein into the artery. Conclusion: This maneuver is a simple alternative to create an arteriovenous fistula during venous arterialization procedures in patients with no-option critical limb ischemia.

Up-and-Over Snare Technique for the Difficult Contralateral Gate Access

The use of two- and three-piece modular aortic stent grafts requires proper catheterization of the contralateral gate. This step can be readily accomplished with appropriate pre- and intraprocedural planning. In some cases, catheterization can be challenging. This chapter describes a bailout technique when the conventional use of a catheter and wire fails or is unlikely to succeed within a timely interval. An Amplatz Gooseneck snare (ev3 Endovascular Inc., Plymouth, MN) or EN Snare (Merit Medical Systems Inc. South Jordan, UT) may be employed to grasp a Glidewire (Terumo Medical Corp., Somerset, NJ) that is threaded through a reverse curve catheter (e.g., Sos 1/2) over the bifurcation and brought below the contralateral gate. In so doing, cannulation of the contralateral gate is readily achieved.