Rupture of guide wire during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. Mechanics and management.

Two rare cases of rupture of the guide wire during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty are described. Both patients required emergency surgical retrieval of the retained fragments and myocardial revascularization. The possible mechanics of the event and the options in the management are discussed with a review of the literature on this rare complication of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty.