Migration of a stent from left main and its retrieval from femoral artery

RATIONALE Embolization of a deployed stent is a rare complication and its mechanism remains unclear in most cases. PATIENT CONCERNS A 52-year-old man underwent coronary angiography for effort angina, revealing an 80% stenosis of the proximal left anterior descending (LAD) involving the distal left main (LM). After luminal sizing with intravascular ultrasound two drug-eluting stents were deployed (5.0 × 12 mm and 3.5 × 15 mm) to cover the LM-LAD lesion. After postdilatation, the proximal stent had disappeared from the LM. DIAGNOSES The missing stent was found in the right deep femoral artery. INTERVENTIONS A new 5.0 × 15 mm stent was deployed onto the LM-LAD ostium, in overlapping with the previously implanted. Then, the stent migrated to the deep femoral artery was successfully retieved through the contralateral femoral artery. OUTCOMES The patient was discharged 2 days later, after an uneventful hospital stay. LESSONS Stent deformation after postdilation is a possible causes of stent migration.