How to endoluminally retrieve a misplaced guidewire during endovenous thermal ablation.

Abstract

We describe a technique we employed to safely retrieve a retained guidewire from the tip of the introducer sheath during endovenous thermal ablation with radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of the great saphenous vein (GSV). A flexible 5Fr grasping forceps was introduced through the sheath and, under ultrasound guidance, the tip of the guidewire, still retained within the sheath, was grasped and retrieved. We believe this technique offers a safe, viable alternative to currently available endovascular retrieval devices.