Single Center 7 Year Experience of Coronary Artery Perforation: Angiographic and Procedural Characteristics, Management and Outcome

CONTEXT: Coronary artery perforation is a rare but potentially catastrophic complication of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). It is infrequent complication of PCI. AIMS: The objective of the study is to report the 7-year experience of coronary artery perforation with respect to incidence, clinical and angiographic characteristics, management and outcomes. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The study involved retrospective analysis of single centre 7 years of percutaneous coronary intervention data. Patients who had complication of coronary artery perforation during PCI were identified and included in the study. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of clinical, angiographic and procedural characteristics as well as management and outcome of coronary artery perforation was done. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The whole data were tabulated, variables were presented as mean and percentages and comparison was done within them. RESULTS: A total of 37 cases of coronary artery perforation were identified from 4532 PCI performed. Most of the coronary artery perforation belonged to Ellis Type II and Type III (both n = 15) followed by Type III CS and Type I. Lesions belonged to AHC/AHA Type C in 31 cases. Most frequent mechanism of coronary artery perforation was related to the use of guidewire and balloon (both n = 17). The total of 8 cases presented with cardiac tamponade requiring pericardiocentesis. Eleven cases required emergency covered stent implantation. In two cases microcoil was used while one case required polyvinyl alcohol particles to seal the perforation site. There was no in-hospital mortality while 30-day mortality occurred in one patient. One case was referred for emergency surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Coronary artery perforation is rare but potentially fatal complication of percutaneous coronary intervention. Complication of coronary artery perforation can be managed effectively in the catheterization laboratory without the need of emergency of bailout surgery and in-hospital outcomes remain good in the majority of cases.