We report the case of a 61-year-od male, hospitalized for unstable angina. Coronary angiography showed a severe lesion in the middle third of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Percutaneous coronary intervention was performed with stent implantation. Coronary rupture was observed with contrast spilling to the left ventricle (type IV coronary perforation) immediately after balloon post-dilatation. After partial heparin reversal with protamine and prolonged balloon inflation at low pressure, coronary rupture was controlled, with a good final angiographic result. Subsequent echocardiography showed minimal pericardial effusion. Post-procedure clinical follow-up was satisfactory.
Angioplasty; Stents; Rupture; Coronary vessels
