ABSTRACT

CORONARY PERFORATIONS Introduction Coronary perforation is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication that occurs in 0.2% to 0.9% of PCIs (18-32). With atheroablative techniques such as directional or rotational atherectomy and excimer laser angioplasty, the risk is somewhat higher (0.3-3.3%) (19-21,33-35). The overall incidence of coronary perforation during PCI has been unchanged over the last 20 years. This is likely explained by a balance between the expected decrease due to changes in technique-such as the more selective use of atheroablative techniques and the abandon of high-pressure angioplasty with oversized compliant balloon catheters-and the likely increase due to the greater number of high-risk interventions and the use of stiff and hydrophilic guidewires (20,21,36).