Acute reocclusion during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty: Immediate and long-term outcome

Acute total occlusion of a coronary artery during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) has previously resulted in emergency surgical intervention (CABG). We retrospectively surveyed 211 elective procedures and 65 procedures for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). There were 42 patients (pts) [29 elective (14%) and 13 AMI (20%)] in whom total occlusion occurred after initial dilation had been achieved. In 30 of 42 pts reangioplasty successfully reperfused the vessel. Ten patients (24%) required CABG and two (5%) were treated medically for AMI. Death occurred in 2 pts due to irreversible cardiogenic shock despite successful angioplasty. After 6 months follow-up 22 pts remained asymptomatic. It is concluded that aggressive redilation of total occlusions which develop during PTCA will frequently result in a successful angioplasty with a long-term restenosis rate comparable to uncomplicated angioplasty.