The breakage of a drug-eluting stent delivery system leading to limb amputation.

A 68-year-old female with total occlusion of the bare metal stent in the left superficial femoral artery was treated by placement of three drug-eluting stents (DESs). Acute thrombosis developed on the next day. Thrombosis in the left popliteal artery to anterior tibial artery was found. An additional stent was placed in the popliteal artery. Rethrombosis was observed. The left leg could not be salvaged. Examination of the amputated limb revealed broken DES delivery system below the knee vessel. This was an unusual case of breakage of a DES delivery system that led to major amputation.