Angioplasty of recent total coronary occlusions: Cardiac death can occur in “low‐risk” cases

Abstract

Revascularization by angioplasty of total coronary artery occlusions is generally thought to be relatively safe in experienced hands. Although success rates are lower than with diseased but patent vessels, reasonable success can be expected. In this report, different events led to a sudden and fatal outcome in two patients with total coronary occlusions subtending recently infarcted, but still viable, areas of myocardium. The cases and procedural details are presented.