Transluminal catheter reperfusion: A new technique to reestablish blood flow after coronary occlusion during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) may be complicated by total coronary artery occlusion from major dissection, spasm or thrombosis. 1,2 If coronary blood flow is not reestablished immediately, myocardial infarction or death may occur, despite the availability of emergency surgical backup. 3 The morbidity and mortality of the emergency bypass procedure may also be increased under these circumstances. 4 We describe the investigational use of a percutaneously introduced stenting reperfusion catheter to reestablish blood flow before bypass surgery in 3 patients.