Rheolytic thrombectomy combined with a protective filter and platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitors in rescue angioplasty.

Rescue angioplasty is used in patients in whom thrombolysis has been unsuccessful, in order to achieve a better restoration of flow and to improve left ventricular function and the long term prognosis. However, patients who undergo rescue angioplasty have a higher rate of reocclusion of the vessel or distal embolism, resulting in increased mortality. Rheolytic thrombectomy, which reduces the quantity of thrombus and improves flow in the vessel, has been used successfully in such cases. We describe a case in which rheolytic thrombectomy was applied during late rescue angioplasty in order to achieve immediate restoration of flow in the vessel.