Retrieval of iatrogenic intravascular foreign bodies

Abstract

Malposition, embolization, fracture, and migration of endovascular devices are unfortunate consequences of endovascular intervention and will be encountered at some point by nearly every practitioner. The existing literature on foreign body retrieval consists of large single-institution series and case reports. We provide an overview of this recent literature, clarifying what devices are being lost, what symptoms occur as a result, and how retrieval is being performed. We have identified all case series and case reports since the year 2000, summarized the results, and made some general observations and recommendations that may be useful to the practitioner faced with the prospect of retrieving a fractured medical device, malpositioned coil, or migrated inferior vena cava filter.