Subepicardial hematoma after percutaneous coronary intervention
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 13, 2026

Utilizing Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Devices in Acute Myocardial Infarction Complicated by Cardiogenic Shock
Published on: June 12, 2021
Raúl Alberto Borracci1, Natalia Ayala1, Paola Renes1
1IMA Clinic, Adrogué, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Background:
Coronary artery perforation associated to cardiac tamponade is an uncommon life-threatening complication of percutaneous coronary intervention, and the occurrence of subepicardial or intramyocardial hematoma without hemopericardium is even rarer.
Clinical Case:
We describe the case of a 72 year-old woman with a subepicardial hematoma after percutaneous coronary intervention, who required urgent left internal mammary artery graft to anterior descending artery surgery.
Conclusions:
Subepicardial or intramyocardial hematoma must be considered when a coronary perforation is suspected in absence of hemopericardium. Transthoracic echocardiogram or computed tomography may be used to decide a conservative or invasive approach.
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