Rupture and entrapment of a balloon catheter in the left anterior descending artery: fluoroscopic appearance of impending balloon failure.

Rupture of an angioplasty balloon in an undilated left anterior descending coronary stenosis resulted in entrapment of the balloon requiring surgical removal. The balloon was found to have a circumferential tear. The fluoroscopic appearance of impending balloon rupture is demonstrated. It is suggested that when faced with an unyielding stenosis, inflation pressure sufficient to cause impending balloon failure should be avoided.