Rotational Atherectomy in the Management of Ruptured and Entrapped Coronary Angioplasty Balloon

Retention and entrapment of angioplasty device fragments is a rare consequence of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Due to advances in retrieval devices and introduction of new interventional techniques the need for emergency surgery has reduced significantly. There might also be clinical scenarios were remnants of retained fragments might have to be left within the coronary vessel and this might be the most appropriate option. Here we report a case of a ruptured non-compliant angioplasty balloon that was entrapped in the right coronary artery and retained in situ after multiple failed attempts at percutaneous retrieval. Medical therapy failed and hence rotation atherectomy had to be performed followed by stent implantation, there by jailing the retained fragments underneath the stent struts. To our knowledge this is the first description of rotational atherectomy of an entrapped balloon to allow for percutaneous revascularization.