B M

The 56-year-old man was admitted to the clinic for the planned stenting of the distal part of the right coronary artery (RCA). Anamnesis: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, arterial hypertension, active smoker, more than 20 cigarettes a day. By ECG T vawe inversion in leads II, III and aVF. By transthoracic echo EF=38%, hypokinesis of inferior wall. Blood test was normal, without any problems.  

A month ago the proximal part of the RCA was re-stented by a BMS, in connection with the previously implanted stent  thrombosis. On the left coronary system also had a diffuse atherosclerotic lesions. 

Through the right radial access 6 Fr sheath was placed. Immediately after intubation with the AL 1 guide catheter of the RCA and injection of contrast medium, dissection of the ascending aorta (AA) was visualized. The patient had an hemodynamic instability, followed by a drop in blood pressure and severe chest pains began. Oxygen, fluids, and analgesia were administered. 

0.014″ soft-tip floppy Marker wire (BMW; Abbott Vascular,Santa Clara, CA, USA) unable to pass the RCA and after repeated contrasting, the RCA was completely occluded. AL 1 guide catheter was replaced by JR 4 and after this the guide wire was successfully advanced into the distal and after, the stenting of the aorto-ostial part was performed by 4.0 x 18 mm bare metal stent. The final result was satisfactory. In the RCA TIMI 3 flow and by angiography further signs of continuing dissection were not detected. 

Iatrogenic aortic dissection of the ascending aorta (Type A) may be life-threatening, requiring surgical replacement of the diseased vessel, to avoid pericardial effusion, coronary artery dissection, or acute aortic regurgitation 1,2. According to our experience, retrograde dissection into the aorta during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) can be sealed with a coronary stent that covers the coronary ostium and should be treated conservatively in most circumstances, unless complication like extension of dissection into other vessels or pericardial effusion or hemodynamic instability occurs.