Coronary perforation during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty with cutting balloon: A case report

Coronary perforation is relatively a rare complication of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). A case of coronary perforation caused by PTCA with a cutting balloon in a 63 years old male is reported. The patient was admitted with unstable angina due to a discrete but eccentric 90% stenotic lesion in a curve at the mid portion of the LAD. Following the first inflation of the cutting balloon, leakage of the contrast medium to the pericardial cavity was noted on angiography. Further extravasation was prevented by long inflation of a perfusion catheter effectively and the patient could be discharged 10 days later without further surgical intervention. Three months later, angiography revealed no evidence of restenosis.