Ablation catheter entrapment in the mitral valve apparatus during ablation of premature ventricular complexes: a case report

Entrapment of the ablation catheter in the mitral valve apparatus during transaortic ablation of premature ventricular complexes is a rare complication that usually requires surgical removal. Random rotating and pulling of the catheter exacerbate the extent of the entrapment, causing chest pain and a drop in blood pressure. The catheter can be loosened by changing the direction of the vector at the tip of the catheter, pulling in the reverse direction and rotating. We describe the case of the thought process and catheter maneuvers used to diagnose, loosen, and remove a trapped catheter.