Management and outcomes of coronary artery perforations treated with the block and deliver technique.

Objectives And Background: Coronary artery perforation (CAP) is a potentially life-threatening complication during percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) and the best strategy for its management is yet to be proved. We aimed to analyze the safety, efficacy, and long-term clinical outcomes of the block and deliver (BAD) technique, as only anecdotal cases are reported in literature.

Methods: From January 2016 to January 2020, all consecutive patients treated with the BAD technique at five high-volume centers in Italy were retrospectively identified.

Results: 25 CAPs treated with the BAD technique were included. The most frequently perforated artery was the left anterior descending artery (32%) and spring-coil wires with a hydrophilic coating were the most common culprit wires (68%). Mean sealing time was 46.9 ± 60.1 min, with no significant differences between CTO-PCIs and non-CTO PCIs (p = .921). Acute successful sealing of the CAP was achieved in 96% of the cases. Immediate cardiac tamponade occurred in 28% of patients, four during CTO PCI and three during non-CTO PCI (p = .55). Two patients required pericardiocentesis during hospitalization, one patient developed acute kidney injury, and one patient underwent cardiac surgery due to severe mitral regurgitation. At 1-year follow-up no significant differences were observed between groups in terms of POCE (25 vs 25%, p = .628) and its individual components.

Conclusion: The BAD technique proved to be effective for the management of CAP, showing high successful sealing rates. Rates of in-hospital events and at 1-year follow-up did not significantly differ between patients suffering CAP during CTO revascularization or during non-CTO PCI.