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Retrieval of an Undeflatable Balloon During Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Combination With Small Thoracotomy
Koya Okabe1, Kenichi Hagiya1, Itaru Takamisawa1
1Department of Cardiology, Sakakibara Heart Institute, Tokyo, Japan.
Background:
An undeflatable balloon is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).
Case Summary:
An 80-year-old man undergoing PCI developed an undeflatable balloon lodged in the proximal left anterior descending artery. Catheter-based retrieval attempts were unsuccessful, necessitating surgical intervention. The balloon was successfully deflated via a small thoracotomy through direct puncture with a 25-gauge needle.
Discussion:
This case demonstrates the successful surgical retrieval of an undeflatable balloon using a minimally invasive off-pump approach. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of successful retrieval of an undeflatable coronary balloon by direct needle puncture through a small thoracotomy without a coronary artery incision.
Take-Home Messages:
Undeflatable balloons are a potentially fatal complication during PCI. If catheter-based retrieval fails, surgical intervention becomes necessary. A minimally invasive approach, such as off-pump small thoracotomy with direct coronary puncture, may be preferable, particularly in patients at high surgical risk.
