A case report of a rapidly growing giant coronary pseudoaneurysm: challenges and lessons learned

Coronary pseudoaneurysm is a rare, potentially fatal, complication of coronary intervention. A challenging management case of a giant right coronary pseudoaneurysm is presented.

A 56-year-old man presented with an atypical presentation for ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Initial angiogram showed a crescent-shaped ostial lesion with probable connection to the aorta, which disappeared after placing a drug-eluting stent. A few hours later, patient was found to have staph aureus bacteraemia and infective endocarditis for which he received a prolonged antibiotic course. Patient presented a few weeks later with second degree heart block. Echocardiography showed a large cystic lesion adjacent to the right coronary cusp suspicious for a coronary pseudoaneurysm, which was confirmed with angiography. Attempts to treat it with a covered stent were unsuccessful and patient ultimately underwent surgical resection.

Coronary pseudoaneurysm develops when there is a contained breach of all three layers of the vessel. It may develop from direct iatrogenic trauma to the vessel wall but can be infectious in aetiology. The treatment approach remains uncertain due to limited evidence. Here, we present the diagnostic and technical challenges of managing such an uncommon entity and discuss an algorithm for management.