Unusually long inflation times during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

Abstract

Unusually prolonged balloon inflations (PBI) during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) have been utilized in 26 consecutive patients to establish adequate coronary perfusion after shorter inflation times resulted in severe residual stenosis (N = 15), early arterial closure (N = 5), or extensive dissection (N = 6). Inflations lasted 1.5 to 15 min and 23/27 stenoses were successfully dilated. The average reduction in stenosis was 67% (90%–33%). Chest pain occurred in 34% vs. 7% (P < 0.01), and ST changes occurred during 66% vs. 57% (NS) of PBI vs. short inflations.