Correspondence Address: Dr. Surender Deora Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Sheth Vadilal Sarabhai General Hospital, Smt. Nathiba Hargovandas Lakhmichand Municipal Medical College, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad - 380 006, Gujarat India
Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None
Percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) of saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) is challenging and is associated with adverse short- and long-term clinical outcome as compared to native coronary arteries. SVG perforation is rare but catastrophic and needs immediate attention. Various factors predisposing for SVG perforation are old degenerated graft, ulcerated plaque, severe fibrotic, or calcified lesion necessitating high pressure balloon or stent inflation, use of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) or other atheroablative devices. Management includes prolonged balloon occlusion, reversal of anticoagulation, use of covered stent, and emergency pericadiocentesis if required.
How to cite this article: Deora S, Shah SC, Patel TM. Saphenous Vein Graft Perforation During Percutaneous Coronary Intervention - A Nightmare to be Avoided. Heart Views 2015;16:34-6
How to cite this URL: Deora S, Shah SC, Patel TM. Saphenous Vein Graft Perforation During Percutaneous Coronary Intervention - A Nightmare to be Avoided. Heart Views [serial online] 2015 [cited 2023 Mar 22];16:34-6. Available from: https://www.heartviews.org/text.asp?2015/16/1/34/153000
Introduction
Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for saphenous vein graft (SVG) lesions has higher complication rates and poor long-term outcomes as compared to native coronaries. [1] The perioperative complications may include no-reflow, abrupt closure, distal embolization causing perioperative myocardial infarction and rarely SVG perforation. Here, we report a case of SVG perforation managed successfully with a covered stent and discuss about its predictors and management.
Case Report
A 76-year-old male known case of hypertension and diabetes mellitus was admitted to our institute with complaints of crescendo angina and dyspnea for 1 week. He had undergone coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery with left internal mammary artery (LIMA) to left anterior descending (LAD) artery, radial artery graft to right coronary artery (RCA), and SVG to obtuse marginal (OM) artery 9 years ago and PCI to SVG-OM graft with drug-eluting stent 2 years ago. 12-lead resting electrocardiogram revealed significant ST depressions in V4-V6, lead I and aVL. Two-dimensional (2D) transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) was normal with normal left ventricular systolic function (left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ~ 60%). Serum biochemistry was within normal limits except significantly raised cardiac enzymes and troponins.
After informed consent, coronary angiography by right transradial approach revealed native triple vessel disease, patent LIMA-LAD graft, patent radial-RCA graft, and significant short discrete eccentric lesion in SVG-OM graft distal to the patent stent [arrow, [Figure 1]a; S Video 1]. PCI to SVG-OM graft was planned and the ostium was cannulated with JR4/6F guide catheter, but was exchanged with AR2/6F guide catheter (Launcher, Medtronic Inc, Minneapolis, MN) for better backup support. The lesion was crossed with 0.014" whisper guide wire (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, CA) and the direct stenting was planned. The stent 3.5 × 18 mm Xience Pro (Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, CA) was positioned across the lesion (arrow, [Figure 1]b). While inflating the stent at 14 atmosphere, there was sudden extravasation of contrast revealing class III perforation at the stent site [arrow, [Figure 2]; S Video 2]. Immediately, the perforation was occluded proximally with the same stent balloon. TTE revealed minimal pericardial effusion without any clinical or echocardiographic evidence of cardiac tamponade. Even after prolonged balloon inflation there was still persistent leakage and therefore, the perforation was sealed with 3 × 18 mm covered stent at 12 atmosphere (Jostent Graftmaster, Abbott Vascular, Santa Clara, CA) with TIMI III flow [Figure 3]; S Video 3]. Patient remained hemodynamically stable during the procedure and hospital stay and was aymptomatic at 1-month follow-up.
Figure 1: Angiogram revealing significant stenosis in saphenous vein graft to major obtuse marginal branch (arrow, Panel A). Angiogram showing drug eluting stent positioned across the lesion (arrow, Panel B)
SVG perforation was first reported by Drummer et al., and may be catastrophic if immediate measures are not taken. [2] The predisposing factors for perforation are old degenerated grafts, ulcerated plaque, eccentric fibrotic or calcified lesion, and use of oversized stent. [3] It may be procedure related due to guide wire penetration, subintimal balloon inflation, overexpansion of balloon, or stent and rarely due to intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) catheter or during atheroablative procedure.
In a case series of 12 patients with SVG perforation by Marmagkiolis et al., most of them occurred in elderly males with more than 9 years of graft age. [4] The main site of perforation was SVG body and in majority of the cases occurred during stent deployment at high pressure as in our case or during post dilatation. Usually, SVGs perforation does not cause cardiac tamponade because of pericardiotomy during CABG and extrapericardial course of proximal SVGs, but localized tamponade due to extensive pericardial adhesions can occur and may cause persistent hypotension. [5] The hypotension may also be due to continuous hemorrhage into the mediastinum necessitating immediate intervention. Rarely, SVG perforation may occur in right atrium or also may cause localized pulmonary artery compression. [6],[7]
Management of SVG perforation includes immediate balloon occlusion proximal to perforation site, reversal of anticoagulation with protamine, and if needed covered stent. Covered stent should preferably be deployed using dual guide catheter technique to decrease the extravasation of blood during the procedure. [8] Emergency pericardiocentesis and very rarely coil embolization may be needed after covered stent if persistent leakage and hypotension is present. [9] Selection of undersized stent may prevent SVG perforation without increase in 1 year event rate. [10]
Conclusion
PCI to SVGs is a challenge for an interventional cardiologist and needs adequate experience and expertise. SVG perforation is a cardiac emergency and needs immediate intervention. Use of undersized stent and balloons may prevent this fatal complication without compromising short- and long-term results.
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