Percutaneous extraction of a knotted pulmonary artery catheter and an entrapped tined pacing lead in two dogs

Catheters and pacing leads may become entrapped within the heart necessitating the use of creative measures for extraction while preventing damage to cardiac structures. This report describes the percutaneous extraction of a knotted pulmonary artery catheter and an entrapped tined pacing lead in two dogs. In both cases, a long transseptal sheath was advanced over the catheter or pacing lead and used to facilitate removal of the entrapped devices without causing damage to the heart.