Myocardial Ischemia Caused by Subepicardial Hematoma

Intramyocardial haematoma complicating chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention: Case series and review of the literature

Intramyocardial haematoma is a rare complication of chronic total occlusion intervention. We present five cases complicated by intramyocardial haematomas highlighting the presentation, mechanisms and management techniques employed followed by a discussion of the relevant literature. SUMMARY FOR THE ANNOTATED TABLE OF CONTENTS: Case series of intramyocardial haematoma complicating chronic coronary total occlusion PCI, with review of risk factors, recognition and management of this complication.

Bailout bypass surgery for complications of coronary interventions

BACKGROUND

Mechanical complications of percutaneous coronary interventions are treated percutaneously in most cases. If the rescue intervention is unsuccessful, bailout bypass surgery is necessary to restore the coronary flow. The surgical risk in these cases is higher than that of patients operated on for other indications. The aim of our study was to characterize patients who underwent surgical treatment at our institution and to compare their long-term outcomes with patients who underwent emergency bypass surgery for other indications.

METHODS

We analyzed 707 consecutive patients who underwent isolated emergency bypass surgery at our institution from 2007 to 2015. In 44 of these cases, the surgery was necessitated by mechanical complications of percutaneous coronary interventions. There were 31 coronary dissections, 5 entrapped guidewires, and 8 coronary perforations. We compared patients in these three groups with one another. Follow-up was performed to assess long-term outcomes.

RESULTS

The median age of the cohort was 68 years (range 59-75 years), and 36 (81.8%) patients presented in cardiogenic shock. Thirty-seven (84.1%) patients had history of a percutaneous coronary intervention. The courses were typical for bypass patients. The long-term survival was similar in all three subgroups (p = 0.16). The survival profiles within our sample did not differ significantly from that in patients who underwent emergency bypass surgery for other indications.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical risk and short- and long-term outcomes of patients undergoing emergency bypass surgery due to mechanical complications of percutaneous coronary interventions are similar to those of patients receiving the same surgery for other indications.

Complications of chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention: Subepicardial hematoma

A 67-year-old man with coronary artery disease and previous coronary underwent successful Guideliner reverse CART percutaneous coronary intervention of a chronic total occlusion of the right coronary artery. He later developed evidence of myocardial ischemia, and imaging, including angiogram, echocardiogram, and cardiac computed tomography revealing active dye extravasation from the previously normal RV marginal branches, in addition to a large subepicardial hematoma. Despite these dramatic findings, the patient remained hemodynamically stable and pain-free, with resolving ECG changes. Thus, with close clinical observation, the patient did not undergo pericardiocentesis or other invasive procedures, and was discharged home safely. This review evaluates the complications of CTO-PCI, with a focus on subepicardial hematomas, discussing diagnosis and management of this highly morbid complication.