MAJOR AND MINOR CORONARY DISSECTION DURING ANGIOPLASTY: INCIDENCE, PREDICTORS AND MANAGEMENT.

Abstract

Angiographic evidence of coronary dissection after angioplasty is found in 25-45% of cases, however ischemic complications occur only in a fraction of cases. It is unclear whether the factors predisposing patients to any coronary dissection are the same ones that predict major dissection complicated with threatened or abrupt occlusion. This study is unique in that it specifically addresses the predictors of major dissection in the "stent" era. The objectives of this study were to identify the factors predisposing to angiographic coronary dissection after balloon angioplasty, to identify predictors of major dissections, and to evaluate the procedural success of therapy for dissection.