Management of coronary occlusion during angioplasty: Stabilization using a guide wire

During percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty of the left anterior descending artery in two patients, although the artery could be initially dilated, the vessel would not remain patent despite numerous redilations and pharmacological maneuvers. A third patient developed total occlusion of the right coronary artery during diagnostic catheterization. In these patients, the presence of a guide wire across the occlusion provided patency and stability. With the guide wire in place, the patients were taken to the operating room without further chest pain or evidence of ischemia.