RECURRENT ANGINA-PECTORIS IN PATIENTS WITH INTERNAL MAMMARY ARTERY TOCORONARY-ARTERY BYPASS - TREATMENT WITH COIL EMBOLIZATION OF UNLIGATED SIDE BRANCHES

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect on the sy mptoms of transcatheter coil embolization of branches of the internal mammary artery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In five patients with coronary steal syndrome that was caused by preferential flow in large unligated side branches of the internal mammary artery, coil embolization of th e side branches was performed with use of a coaxial microcatheter. RES ULTS: Anginal symptoms disappeared in three patients and were substant ially reduced in one patient following the radiologic intervention. In the fifth patient, who had concomitant stenoses of other coronary ves sels, only a moderate change in symptoms was noted. No complications o ccurred. CONCLUSION: In patients with internal mammary artery to coron ary artery bypass who experience recurrent angina pectoris caused by p referential flow in large, unligated side branches of the internal mam mary artery, repeat surgery may be circumvented or simplified by trans catheter coil embolization, which can help treat the angina.