Coronary intramural hematoma: Challenges in diagnosis and management

Abstract

Coronary intramural hematoma (CIH) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a rare cause of acute coronary syndrome. As the diagnosis is really challenging, its incidence is really under estimated. The optimal management of post-PCI CIH has not been well defined. Conventional coronary angiography alone is often insufficient to identify a CIH. Intravascular ultrasound and optical coherence tomography (OCT) are helpful modalities for diagnosis and evaluation of its extension. We present a case of CIH after PCI, highlighting our experience in the diagnostic accuracy of OCT and our strategy in the management of this case.

Keywords

• Coronary intramural hematoma
• diagnosis
• intravascular ultrasound
• management
• optical coherence tomography