Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is a well-establ
ished and effective treatment modality for significant coronary artery
disease. Because it enlarges the arterial lumen by plaque disruption,
minor wall dissection is not infrequent. Complex dissections are, how
ever, uncommon but may lead to acute vessel closure with its attendant
major clinical morbidity and mortality. We describe here a case of ps
eudo-dissection and its potential for misinterpretation and subsequent
inappropriate management.