Abstract
BACKGROUND: Balloon catheter entrapment during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), although rare, is a serious complication that can be refractory to conventional retrieval techniques. CASE SUMMARY: We report a successful, novel bailout for PCI balloon catheter entrapment, where standard maneuvers failed, using a previously undescribed dual-catheter technique: a new balloon catheter, preloaded within an extension catheter, was advanced to ensheath the entrapped balloon's proximal segment and then coaxially tracked to its distal coronary limit. Low-pressure inflation of the new balloon then anchored the entrapped segment. Complete retrieval was achieved by synchronously advancing the balloon catheter while withdrawing the extension catheter. DISCUSSION: This novel coaxial method provides a systematic, low-risk retrieval option that expands the interventionalist's toolbox for managing this serious complication. TAKE-HOME MESSAGE: This case presents a novel bailout technique-extension catheter-assisted balloon anchoring-for device retrieval, and underscores the essential role of routine intracoronary imaging (optical coherence tomography/intravascular ultrasound) in preventing such complications.