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Acute coronary occlusion as a consequence of dissection or thrombosis occurs in 2 to 11% of patients treated with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), and continues to be the principal cause of early morbidity and mortality. In this study the experience of one center is presented with the application of two types of stents, Wiktor (Medtronic Inc.) or Gianturco-Roubin (Cook Inc.) for bailout of acute or threatening coronary occlusion that persisted after treatment with prolonged balloon inflation. All patients received a complete anticoagulation scheme with heparin, dextran, dipyridamole, aspirin and coumadin. From January to November 1993, 26 patients with 27 prosthesis were included. There were 21 men and 5 women with mean age of 58 years (range 36 to 73). The indications for stenting were: total occlusion in five (19%) threatening occlusion in 13 (50%) and severe persistent dissection in eight (31%). Initial implantation success was 93% (25/27). Procedure related clinical complications were death in one patient, bypass surgery in two (8%) and myocardial infarction in four (15%). Acute stent thrombosis occurred in three cases and subacute in one (11 and 4% respectively). Three patients, had non-fatal bleeding complications. Final clinical success without myocardial infarction, bypass surgery or death was 77%. In conclusion, coronary stenting for bailout of acute or threatening coronary occlusion after PTCA is a good alternative to emergency surgery. New antithrombotic strategies and better anticoagulation schemes may improve further this procedure.