A unique complication of the retrograde approach in angioplasty for chronic total occlusion of the coronary artery

Abstract

The retrograde approach for chronic total occlusion of coronary arteries is a new treatment strategy, although its attendant complications have not yet been fully appreciated. We report a case of isolated left ventricular cardiac tamponade caused by guide-wire-induced perforation of the septal branch during the retrograde approach, which was subsequently diagnosed by computed tomography (CT) and which required surgical drainage. Guidewire-induced perforation of the septal branch was successfully treated by autologous subcutaneous tissue embolization of the perforated coronary artery. This is the first case of its kind to date. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.