Spontaneous coronary artery perforation secondary to a sirolimus-eluting stent infection

Abstract

Coronary stent infection is exceedingly rare despite the widespread use of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The utilization of drug-eluting stents (DES) may have a higher theoretical risk of infection due to their local immunosuppressant effect. Vigilance in suspecting stent infection is important, as the associated mortality rate is approximately 50%. We discuss the case of a patient who presented with an infected DES 2 weeks after implantation which led to spontaneous Type II coronary perforation. The perforation was sealed with prolonged balloon inflation, and the patient was treated with intravenous antibiotics. This is the first reported case of a patient with a stent infection who presented with a spontaneous coronary perforation.