Straightening of the coil windings: unexpected obstacle on percutaneous closure of a patent ductus arteriosus

Transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus has an established safety and efficacy in childhood using coils. However, complications and unexpected events are infrequently reported, such as haemolysis, embolisation, and stenosis of the left pulmonary artery or descending aorta. In the current work, we report an unusual obstacle that occurred upon the release of a patent ductus arteriosus coil in a child. Abnormal straightening of the coils on the pulmonary side was encountered, with failure of recoil of the patent ductus arteriosus windings noticed upon the coil release. However, the coil was successfully snared, and another was deployed with an uneventful recovery.