Retrieval of a Ruptured PTMC Balloon - Abstract
Rupture of a PTMC (Percutaneous Transluminal Mitral Commisurotomy) balloon during the
procedure with complications like embolism have been described in literature. Most of these
complications used to occur with reused and sterilized balloons and there were no difficulty
in taking out these balloons. Here we describe a case of severe mitral stenosis because of
rheumatic heart disease that underwent PTMC with reused sterilized PTMC balloon (Syn
Company, CE mark). The PTMC procedure was successful with single inflation of balloon.
However, while the PTMC balloon was being withdrawn, firstly the coiled guide wire and then
the inner metal tube perforated the PTMC balloon. This whole assembly was now unable to
be taken out of the right groin because the distal tip of the balloon folded on itself. In an
attempt to straighten the distal tip, a tug was provided by catching the distal tip of PTMC
balloon with the help of a snare inserted from the left femoral vein. With this technique,
whole of the PTMC balloon assembly with snare came out of the right groin without injuring
the right femoral vein. .