ABSTRACT
W ith an ever increasing number of antegrade coronary interventions, including throm bolysis and percutaneous transluminal coronary (PTCA), being applied in high risk settings, serious consideration had to be given to protective support in case of marginal effectiveness, intolerable transient ischemia, or intervention failure leading to persistent coronary occlusion. In the latter situations, it may be essential to at least temporarily maintain the viability of jeopardized myocardium, pending revascularization.
