Cor Vasa 2014, 56(5):e379-e381 | DOI: 10.1016/j.crvasa.2014.03.005

Iatrogenic coronary-right ventricular fistula complicated by coronary thrombosis

Benedetta Ruggieri^*, Marco Zimarino, Raffaele De Caterina

Institute of Cardiology and Center of Excellence on Aging, "G. d'Annunzio" University, Chieti, Italy

Coronary perforation is a rare but potentially lethal complication during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and its treatment is challenging when occurring inside or beyond unexpanded stents, where covered stent delivery is difficult. The perforation is a communication that occurs between the coronary lumen and more frequently the pericardial space, much more rarely the right or left ventricle [1]. An immediate recognition of the exact location and of the course of the extravasation is of utmost relevance for a correct management [2]. We here describe a case where excessive maneuvering may have caused a further complication - coronary thrombosis - the pharmacological management of which is cumbersome in the setting of a coronary perforation.

Keywords: Coronary perforation; Percutaneous coronary intervention; Stent thrombosis

Received: January 16, 2014; Revised: March 23, 2014; Accepted: March 27, 2014; Published: October 1, 2014  Show citation