Hwang M H, Hsieh A A, Silverman P, Loeb H S
Section of Cardiology, Department of Veterans Affairs, Edward Hines Jr. Hospital, Hines, Illinois 60141, USA.
J Invasive Cardiol. 1994 Jun;6(5):154-6.
The fracture and dislodgement of an angioplasty device within the coronary arteries is a rare but increasingly noted complication. If the fragment of angioplasty balloon or guidewire is dislodged in a proximal and patent coronary artery, the likelihood of acute embolization which could lead to an acute coronary thrombus and/or myocardial infarction exists. Therefore, the immediate removal of the broken piece of the angioplasty catheter is imperative. A case of unusual fracture and dislodgement of a Probe III Balloon-on-A-Wire catheter and retrieval of the broken piece is reported.
