Successful retrieval of a hydrophilic guidewire coating

We present two cases of endovascular retrieval of a hydrophilic guidewire coating, which was stripped off against the needle during coronary angiography. The first coating was 43 centimeters long and it was located at the course of external iliac artery, common femoral artery and its bifurcation and along the deep femoral artery. In the second case, the foreign body was a couple of centimeters long and located in the proximal part of the deep femoral artery. The coating was captured and successfully retrieved in both cases using 0.009 intermingling guidewires, advanced from the contralateral side in so-called cross-over way. Percutaneous retrieval techniques of endovascular foreign bodies are very effective and safe. Physicians performing endovascular procedures should be familiar with these retrieval techniques. (author)