[Extensive coronary dissection after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. Apropos of a case]

The authors report a rare case of very extensive dissection of the right coronary artery immediately after angioplasty; the lesion was totally asymptomatic. Coronary bypass was performed 4 months later without complications and with a satisfactory result at a 15-month follow-up. Coronary dissection during angioplasty is usually located at the site of dilatation: its incidence varies from 6 to 13 p. 100 depending on the series reported. Facilitating factors are analysed, and the management of this complication is discussed: repeat angioplasty and/or emergency or elective coronary bypass, depending on the presence or absence of coronary thrombosis and symptoms, on the importance of the territory threatened and on the quality of collateral circulation.