Intravascular foreign bodies: loop-snare retrieval system with a three-lumen catheter.

A foreign body retrieval system composed of a three-lumen catheter, a guide wire, and a wire loop nearly perpendicular to the axis of the catheter was used to retrieve catheter fragments located in the inferior vena cava in two patients and in the superior vena cava in one patient. Fragments were looped within 1 minute of catheterization and were retrieved without complication. Catheter fragments placed in the pulmonary artery of one dog were also successfully retrieved.