Management of iatrogenic aortal dissection as a complication of coronary intervention: wait and watch

Abstract

Iatrogenic aortic dissection (AD) is quite a rare complication during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The exact mechanism of iatrogenic AD during PCI is unknown. A standard of care in the management of iatrogenic AD is still lacking. We describe a case of an 83-year-old man, with an aortocoronary bypass graft, who underwent complex PCI with rotational atherectomy catheterization with a radial approach for a chronic right coronary artery stenosis, complicated by AD. According to our experience, retrograde dissection into the aorta during 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.