Iatrogenic Aorto-Coronary Dissection: A Rare Complication With Fatal Prognosis

Abstract

Iatrogenic aorto-coronary dissection (IACD) is a rare complication of interventional and surgical cardiac procedures, with a very high mortality burden. Here, we report the case of a 71-year-old female with a past medical history of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, mild to moderate aortic insufficiency, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia, who presented with classic anginal symptoms and underwent a cardiac catheterization, during which she suffered Iatrogenic right coronary artery (RCA) dissection and ascending aortic dissection resulting in sudden death. IACD is a rare complication, with a fatal prognosis. Coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are considered safe, with a low risk of major complications including coronary perforations, and a very low risk of Iatrogenic aortic dissection (IAD). The coronary injury occurs more commonly during PCI of chronic total occlusion (CTO) or RCA interventions and can extend to the aortic root. IAD is often fatal and has worse outcomes than spontaneous dissection.

Keywords: arterial dissection; cardiac catheterization complications; iatrogenic aortic dissection; iatrogenic coronary dissection; left heart cardiac catheterization.