Entrapped inflated coronary balloon with a disrupted shaft

Abstract

Entrapment of an undeflatable angioplasty balloon is a rare yet fatal complication of modern percutaneous coronary intervention that can lead to fatal sequelae such as myocardial infarction and life-threatening arrhythmia. We report a case of successful percutaneous retrieval of an entrapped inflated balloon with a broken shaft in a 65-year-old male. After a few failed endeavours, we succeeded using the buddy balloon technique to deflate the entrapped balloon, followed by snaring of the disrupted shaft with a goose neck snare.