Pulmonary artery compression by a localized epicardial hematoma in a patient with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura after percutaneous coronary intervention: a case report

Challenges in the diagnosis and management of dry tamponade

Dry tamponade is a rare complication of percutaneous coronary intervention. It encompasses a heterogenous pathophysiology and is used to describe hemodynamic compromise secondary to a coronary artery perforation, without free-flowing fluid in the pericardium. Tamponade physiology can result from compressive epicardial, intramyocardial, subepicardial hematomas, or dissecting intramyocardial hematomas. The diagnosis of dry tamponade requires hemodynamic derangement in the context of a compressive hematoma as demonstrated by imaging. Although echocardiography can often help identify dry tamponade, additional studies including right heart catheterization, computed tomography, or cardiac magnetic resonance imaging can inform the exact mechanism and help guide management. This article describes a case of dry tamponade, reviews the existing literature on the topic, and offers expert recommendations on diagnosis and management.

Epicardial Space: Comprehensive Anatomy and Spectrum of Disease

The epicardial space (ES) is the anatomic region located between the myocardium and the pericardium. This space includes the visceral pericardium and the epicardial fat that contains the epicardial coronary arteries, cardiac veins, lymphatic channels, and nerves. The epicardial fat represents the main component of the ES. This fat deposit has been a focus of research in recent years owing to its properties and relationship with coronary gossypiboma plaque and atrial fibrillation. Although this region is sometimes forgotten, a broad spectrum of lesions can be found in the ES and can be divided into neoplastic and nonneoplastic categories. Epicardial neoplastic lesions include lipoma, paraganglioma, metastases, angiosarcoma, and lymphoma. Epicardial nonneoplastic lesions encompass inflammatory infiltrative disorders, such as immunoglobulin G4-related disease and Erdheim-Chester disease, along with hydatidosis, abscesses, coronary abnormalities, pseudoaneurysms, hematoma, lipomatosis, and gossypiboma. Initial imaging of epicardial lesions may be performed with echocardiography, but CT and cardiac MRI are the best imaging modalities to help characterize epicardial lesions. Due to the nonspecific onset of signs and symptoms, the clinical history of a patient can play a crucial role in the diagnosis. A history of malignancy, multisystem diseases, prior trauma, myocardial infarction, or cardiac surgery can help narrow the differential diagnosis. The diagnostic approach to epicardial lesions should be made on the basis of the specific location, characteristic imaging features, and clinical background. ©RSNA, 2024 Test Your Knowledge questions for this article are available in the supplemental material.

Silent subepicardial hematoma due to spontaneous coronary artery rupture in a patient with Graves' disease

BACKGROUND

Subepicardial hematoma due to spontaneous coronary artery rupture (SCAR) is exceedingly rare.

CASE PRESENTATION

An asymptomatic 68-year-old woman with Graves' disease was introduced to us because of an abnormal right hilar shadow. Graves' disease had been treated effectively with thiamazole. Without any chest trauma or disease related to coronary artery rupture, computed tomography revealed a 44-mm mass lesion that occupied the front of the right atrium. Two branches arising from the proximal right coronary artery surrounded the lesion and appeared to be the feeding vessels. We suspected a tumor and performed radical surgery. The lesion was completely removed using an ultrasonic scalpel and revealed as organized subepicardial hematoma.

CONCLUSION

This is the rare surgical case of organized subepicardial hematoma due to SCAR. A high grade of suspicion is necessary for the correct diagnosis. Graves' disease is not considered as an underlying disease of SCAR.

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.