Migration of covered stents from hemodialysis A‐V access to the pulmonary artery: Percutaneous stent retrieval and procedural trends

Details are presented of two patients with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) who recently experienced migration of a Viabahn covered stent from a peripheral hemodialysis A‐V access to the right lower lobe pulmonary artery. Successful percutaneous retrieval was achieved in one patient using a dual snare approach, facilitated by ex vivo product testing. The second patient was managed conservatively. A review of the institution's A‐V access salvage procedures, indicated a concomitant trend toward greater use of stent‐assisted procedures, and a higher utilization of covered versus uncovered stents. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.