Dissection of arteria lusoria by transradial coronary catheterization: a rare complication evaluated by multidetector CT

Iatrogenic aortic dissection during right transradial intervention in a patient with aberrant right subclavian artery: A case report

BACKGROUND

Aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA) is the most common congenital anomaly of the aortic arch. When patients having such anomalies receive transradial intervention (TRI), aortic dissection (AD) may occur. Herein, we discuss a case of iatrogenic type B AD occurring during right TRI in an ARSA patient, that was later salvaged by percutaneous angioplasty.

CASE SUMMARY

A 73-year-old man presented to our hospital with intermittent chest pain. Coronary computed tomography (CT) angiography revealed significant stenosis in the left anterior descending artery. Diagnostic coronary angiography was performed via the right radial artery without difficulty. However, we were unable to advance the guiding catheter past the ostium of the right subclavian artery to the aortic arch for percutaneous coronary intervention, while the guidewire tended to go down the descending aorta. The patient suddenly complained of chest and back pain. Emergent CT aortography revealed type B AD propagating to the left renal artery (RA) with preserved renal perfusion. However, after 2 d, the patient suddenly complained of right lower limb pain where the femoral pulse was suddenly undetectable. Follow-up CT indicated further progression of dissection to the right external iliac artery (EIA) and left RA with limited flow. We performed percutaneous angioplasty of the right EIA and left RA without complications. Follow-up CT aortography at 8 mo showed optimal results.

CONCLUSION

A caution is required during right TRI in ARSA to avoid AD. Percutaneous angioplasty can be a treatment option.

Arteria lusoria dissection with mediastinal hematoma as a complication of a transradial coronary catheterization: Case report and literature review

•

Aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA), or arteria lusoria is the most common embrologic anomaly of the aortic arch.

•

The ARSA arises after the origin of the left subclavian artery and then reaches the posterior mediastinum.

•

The presence of ARSA is generally asymptomatic, but may cause complications, during some endovascular procedures.

•

Prompt diagnosis and treatment is required to avoid more dreadful complications.

Introduction

Aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA), or arteria lusoria is the most common embrologic anomaly of the aortic arch. It is generally asymptomatic and incidentally diagnosed during a radiological exam or procedure.

Presentation of case

Here, we report a case of ARSA incidentally diagnosed and injured (dissection with mediastinal hematoma) during a right transradial coronary angiography in a 83 years old female patient. The patient underwent prompt hybrid procedure with the isolation of the right humeral artery from where we positioned a GORE® VIABAHN® 9 × 100 mm endoprosthesis. The procedure was successful with optimal results at early and long term follow up.

Discussion

Sometimes, a dissection of the ARSA may occur, especially for excessive manipulation during endovascular procedures, and when such complication happens it should be promptly treated as it can be life-threatening.

Conclusion

If transradial catheterization during coronary angiography becomes particularly difficult, requires longer time, or the guide wire enters in the descending aorta, particularly attention should be paid, as dreadful complications such as dissection or lesion may happen and prompt treatment is required.

Iatrogenic aortic dissection following transradial coronary angiography in a patient with an aberrant right subclavian artery

An aberrant right subclavian artery is a congenital aortic arch anomaly in which the right subclavian artery originates from the proximal descending aorta. The presence of an aberrant right subclavian artery can make right transradial coronary interventions more difficult and even lead to complications. Iatrogenic intramural hematomas and dissection of aberrant right subclavian arteries during transradial coronary angiography have been previously reported. We herein report a case of iatrogenic aortic dissection following attempts to perform right transradial coronary angiography in a patient with an aberrant right subclavian artery. Clinicians should be vigilant for the presence of an aberrant right subclavian artery during right transradial coronary angiography and ensure gentle manipulation of wires and catheters to avoid complications.

Update on complications and their management during transradial cardiac catheterization

Introduction: Transradial artery access (TRA) was introduced in 1989 and has been universally used as an alternative approach to the traditional transfemoral access (TFA). Complications of TRA include asymptomatic and less likely symptomatic radial artery occlusion, nonocclusive radial artery injury, radial artery spasm, radial arterial perforation, radial artery pseudoaneurysm, arteriovenous fistula, granuloma formation, access-site bleeding, nerve damage, complex regional pain syndrome along with other rare complications.Areas covered: A literature search was performed using MedLine, PubMed, and Google Scholar (dating to 1 May 2019). Authors reviewed all articles related to transradial artery catheterization, its complications, as well as novel techniques for their management. The article provides insight on the incidence, risk factors, and prevention of such complications along with a description of usual and newer techniques to decrease morbidity.Expert opinion: With increasing experience, TRA complication rate is decreasing and new very uncommon complications are being described. A 'radial first' approach should be implemented in all catheterization laboratories and a physician's familiarity with minor and major complications is a must. Distal radial artery access through the snuff box might be the preferred site of accessing the radial artery and further studies will be needed to prove its superiority to the current access site.

Prevalence and Anatomy of Aberrant Right Subclavian Artery Evaluated by Computed Tomographic Angiography at a Single Institution in Korea

Objective

Aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA) is a rare anatomical variant of the origin of the right subclavian artery. ARSA is defined as the right subclavian artery originating as the final branch of the aortic arch. The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence and the anatomy of ARSA evaluated with computed tomography (CT) angiography.

Methods

CT angiography was performed in 3460 patients between March 1, 2014 and November 30, 2015 and the results were analyzed. The origin of the ARSA, course of the vessel, possible inadvertent ARSA puncture site during subclavian vein catheterization, Kommerell diverticula, and associated vascular anomalies were evaluated. We used the literature to review the clinical importance of ARSA.

Results

Seventeen in 3460 patients had ARSA. All ARSAs in 17 patients originated from the posterior aspect of the aortic arch and traveled along a retroesophageal course to the right thoracic outlet. All 17 ARSAs were located in the anterior portion from first to fourth thoracic vertebral bodies and were located near the right subclavian vein at the medial third of the clavicle. Only one of 17 patients presented with dysphagia.

Conclusion

It is important to be aware ARSA before surgical approaches to upper thoracic vertebrae in order to avoid complications and effect proper treatment. In patients with a known ARSA, a right transradial approach for aortography or cerebral angiography should be changed to a left radial artery or transfemoral approach.

Incidental finding of arteria lusoria during transradial coronary catheterization: Significance in interventional cardiology

Arteria lusoria is the most common anomaly of the aortic arch with an incidence of 0.5%-2.5%. It is mostly diagnosed incidentally while performing imaging for evaluation of other unrelated medical conditions. The aberrant right subclavian artery arises beyond the origin of the left subclavian artery from the aortic arch. This results in a complex right-subclavian-aortic anatomy which leads to difficulty in transradial coronary angiography. This can lead to prolonged procedure time and increased use of catheters by unaware interventionists. This is even more important if this is encountered in the setting of an acute myocardial infarction. Our review takes into account clinical significance of this uncommon anomaly in the field of interventional cardiology.

Aberrant right subclavian artery (arteria lusoria) challenging 4-French homolateral transradial coronary catheterisation in adulthood

We report a case of an accidental finding of an aberrant right subclavian artery diagnosed in an adult man during a 4-French coronary angiography performed by right transradial access, then confirmed by multi-slice computed tomography. Tips and tricks have been suggested to complete the 4-French procedure avoiding changing the vascular access.

The aberrant right subclavian artery (arteria lusoria): the morphological and clinical aspects of one of the most important variations--a systematic study of 141 reports

The most important abnormality of the aortic arch is arguably the presence of an aberrant right subclavian artery (arteria lusoria). If this vessel compresses the adjacent structures, several symptoms may be produced. The aim of the study is to present the morphological and clinical aspects of the aberrant right subclavian artery. Three different databases searched for a review of pertinent literature using strictly predetermined criteria. Of 141 cases, 15 were cadaveric and 126 were clinically documented. The gender distribution of the subjects was 55.3% female and 44.7% male. The mean age of the patients at symptoms onset was 49.9 ± 19.4 years for all patients but 54.0 ± 19.6 years and 44.9 ± 18.1 years for female and male subjects, respectively (P = 0.0061). The most common symptoms in this group were dysphagia (71.2%), dyspnea (18.7%), retrosternal pain (17.0%), cough (7.6%), and weight loss (5.9%). The vascular anomalies coexisting with an arteria lusoria were truncus bicaroticus (19.2%), Kommerell's diverticulum (14.9%), aneurysm of the artery itself (12.8%), and a right sided aortic arch (9.2%). In conclusion, compression of adjacent structures by an aberrant right subclavian artery needs to be differentiated from other conditions presenting dysphagia, dyspnea, retrosternal pain, cough, and weight loss.

Forearm approach for percutaneous coronary procedures

This article gives contemporary review on the forearm approach for percutaneous diagnostic and interventional coronary procedures. Advantages and disadvantages as well as practical issues and current controversies regarding both radial and ulnar artery approach are discussed throughout the paper. Having in mind advantages of forearm approach in terms of safety and comfort over the traditional femoral approach, as well as the rapid development of invasive technology in the past years, it will probably become the default vascular approach for all percutaneous coronary procedures in the near future.

Multi-vessel percutaneous coronary intervention in a patient with a type B aortic dissection-transradial or transfemoral?

Patients with chronic aortic dissections are at high risk of catheter-induced complications. We report a 41-year-old patient with a type B aortic dissection (Stanford) who underwent successful three-vessel percutaneous coronary intervention via the right radial artery approach following a non-ST elevation myocardial infarction. The patient remained asymptomatic at 6 mo follow-up. Trans-radial approach for coronary interventions can be used safely in patients with Stanford type B aortic dissection without increasing the risk of procedure- related complications in this high-risk group of patients.