Benefit of the perfusion catheter for emergency coronary artery grafting after failed percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

Of 2,102 consecutive patients who underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, 31 (1.5%) had emergency coronary bypass grafting for failed angioplasty. To determine the potential impact of different therapeutic strategies for controlling associated myocardial ischemia, 3 groups were analyzed. Group 1 comprised 11 patients (36%) in whom a "bailout" catheter was used to maintain anterograde coronary perfusion, group 2 included 16 patients (52%) in whom only intraaortic balloon counterpulsation was used and group 3 contained 4 patients (13%) in whom neither bailout catheter nor intraaortic balloon was used. Despite a longer average time to cardiopulmonary bypass, patients managed with the bailout catheter had a significantly lower incidence of Q-wave myocardial infarctions (9 vs 75%, p < 0.05) compared with patients managed with intraaortic balloon counterpulsation alone. Those managed with the bailout catheter also had more consistent resolution of ST elevation and greater use of internal mammary artery grafts than patients supported by intraaortic balloon counterpulsation alone.