Development of acute myocardial infarction associated with coronary collateral regression after reperfusion by percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.

Clinical and experimental observations have suggested that newly developed collaterals usually remain even after successful revascularization. We present a patient in whom coronary collateral regression was angiographically demonstrated within about 1 month after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, which led to the development of acute myocardial infarction. This case suggests that there may be a possibility of unexplained clinically important anatomical or functional regression of collaterals after reperfusion.