Early detection of a potentially fatal complication of coronary stent implantation using transthoracic two-dimensional-echocardiography

Abstract

The number of coronary stent (CS) implantation has significantly increased since its introduction in 1987. CS infection is a rare but potentially fatal complication. No imaging modality is confirmatory for diagnosing CS infection. Positive blood cultures, two-dimensional-echocardiography (especially transesophageal echocardiography), transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), coronary angiography, computed tomography-scan, and magnetic resonance imaging are useful. We report a case of a 65-year-old male who presented within a month of CS implantation with high-grade fever and chest pain. TTE showed a localized collection in the right atrioventricular groove clinching the diagnosis to CS infection. The patient responded to higher doses of broad-spectrum antibiotics which were continued for 6 weeks.

Keywords

• atrioventricular groove collection
• coronary stent infection
• fever postpercutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty
• stent abscess