Retroperitoneal Hemorrhage After Transradial Cardiac Catheterization in a Patient With Recent Right Kidney...

Retroperitoneal hemorrhage is traditionally associated with femoral access during cardiac catheterization. However, with the increased use of transradial access, the incidence of retroperitoneal hemorrhage has decreased.

A 62-year-old man with chest pain underwent an elective coronary angiography via right radial artery. During recovery, he developed abdominal pain with hypotension and tachycardia. Abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed a grade 4 subcapsular hematoma in the right kidney, which was managed conservatively. Further history revealed he had undergone an uneventful right kidney lithotripsy 2 weeks before the elective coronary angiography.

To our knowledge, this is the first documented case of a retroperitoneal hemorrhage after a transradial cardiac catheterization in a patient with recent history of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for kidney stones.

This case underscores the importance of a detailed history, particularly when patients have undergone recent renal procedures, including extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, that could predispose them to complications.