Nonsurgical removal of a kinked right coronary catheter.

Cardiac catheterization is a commonly performed procedure affording valuable data. Catheter related complications such as catheter knotting, fracture, and collapse have been reported. Occasionally surgery is needed to extricate an entrapped catheter when nonsurgical means are unsuccessful. We describe a case of kinking of a right coronary catheter during transfemoral coronary arteriography, so that the catheter could not be withdrawn. A simple, nontraumatic method facilitated removal of the kinked catheter and permitted completion of the procedure, obviating the need for surgery.