Death from coronary air embolism during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.
A patient undergoing percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of a critical proximal stenosis of his anterior descending coronary artery died as a result of coronary air embolism from a defective dilatation catheter. The probable mechanism responsible for this lethal complication is discussed. Simple precautions are described that will prevent its future occurrence.
D000368:Aged; D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000628:therapy*; D004618:Embolism, Air / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male