Aggressive nonsurgical management of acute coronary artery occlusions developing immediately after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA)

In 368 consecutive percutaneous transluminal coronary angiography (PTCA) procedures, acute occlusion of the dilated artery developed within the first hour after the procedure in 24 cases (6.5%). Four patients underwent emergency bypass surgery. In 17 of the remaining 20 patients, repeat balloon dilation was immediately attempted, and was successful in 11 instances (65%). Five of the six cases in which repeat balloon dilation was not successful responded well to surgical or medical therapy. The author conclude that acute occlusions of dilated coronary arteries shortly after PTCA do not automatically necessitate emergency bypass. Approximately two thirds of such cases can be managed by repeat dilation, converting a potential complication into a successful outcome