Cardiogenic shock. Coronary angioplasty after failed intravenous thrombolysis

: Rescue coronary angioplasty (PTCA) was employed as reperfusion strategy after unsuccessful intracoronary infusion of streptokinase in 13 patients with AMI complicated by cardiogenic shock (CS). Reperfusion defined as reestablishment of TIMI 3 degree flow in the infarct related artery and reduction in luminal narrowing to less than 50% was achieved in 8 patients (61.5%). The failure of PTCA was caused by: inability to cross occlusion in 2 patients and recurrent thrombosis despite repeated dilatations resulting in hemodynamic instability requiring cardiopulmonary resuscitations during the procedure in 3 patients. There was no significant differences in mean age, sex, time from onset of symptoms, LVEF, artery involved, extent of coronary disease and incidence of cardiopulmonary resuscitations during the procedures. There where 4 in-hospital deaths among patients with failed PTCA (80%) compared to 25% mortality in reperfused group. We conclude that PTCA is an effective method of achieving reperfusion in patients with CS complicating AMI after failed thrombolysis with intracoronary streptokinase and that it improves in-hospital survival.