[Retroperitoneal hematoma after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty]

An 80-years-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of unstable angina. The coronariography showed three-vessel coronary artery disease. The patient denied revascularization with coronary artery bypass surgery and coronary angioplasty (PTCA) was performed over two vessels with success. Within the following days, the patient began with pain suggesting femoral nerve compression and a decrease of the hematocrit without external bleeding. A computed tomography (CT) scan was performed to confirm the suspicion of retroperitoneal hematoma. This a rare complication of coronary angioplasty but it's important to remember because its increment during last years.