Chronic left atrial pseudoaneurysm caused by coronary artery perforation during percutaneous coronary intervention

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Interventional Cardiology
• Cardiac Surgery

Background:

• Left atrial pseudoaneurysms are uncommon complications typically arising after valvular surgery, trauma, myocardial infarction, or endocarditis.
• Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a common procedure for treating coronary artery disease.

Observation:

• The study presents the first documented case of a chronically persistent left atrial pseudoaneurysm resulting from coronary artery rupture during elective PCI.
• Computed tomography imaging was utilized to visualize the pseudoaneurysm in an 81-year-old male patient experiencing limiting angina.

Findings:

• Coronary artery rupture during PCI can lead to the development of a chronic left atrial pseudoaneurysm, a previously undescribed complication.
• The pseudoaneurysm was successfully depicted using computed tomography, aiding in diagnosis and understanding of its chronicity.

Implications:

• This finding expands the spectrum of known complications associated with percutaneous coronary intervention.
• Awareness of this potential complication is crucial for interventional cardiologists to ensure timely diagnosis and management.
• Further research may be warranted to determine the incidence and optimal management strategies for pseudoaneurysms following coronary rupture during PCI.