Coronary Embolism After Iatrogenic Radial Endarterectomy

A 55-year-old man with double-vessel coronary artery disease was revascularized by percutaneous coronary intervention three years ago. Elective coronary angiography was indicated for angina with positive stress test. During the procedure, severe radial spasm occurred; after the first injection, we detected loss in pressure trace in the diagnostic catheter and acute distal circumflex occlusion. Suspecting catheter thrombosis with coronary embolization, the entire system was exchanged and inspected; inside, we discovered a 2 x 50 mm white biological cylinder. Histological study of this material was compatible with endarterectomy. We present a rare complication of severe radial artery spasm and endarterectomy, with occlusion of the diagnostic catheter and coronary embolization.