Viabahn stent graft in the management of a grade 3 coronary perforation

Background Coronary artery perforation during coronary intervention has high morbidity and mortality. This case describes the collaboration between interventional cardiologists and Interventional radiologists to successfully deploy a peripheral arterial stent graft in a coronary artery that demonstrated persistent extravasation after coronary specific stent graft placement. Case presentation An 84 year old female patient presented with acute coronary syndrome and coronary angiography identified a right coronary artery lesion. This was dilated and stented but resulted in a grade 3 coronary perforation. Conservative treatment with balloon tamponade failed, as did placement of a covered coronary-specific stent graft. A Viabahn peripheral arterial stent graft was placed within the indwelling stents and successfully sealed the endoleak. At 6 months the patient is clinically well and follow-up imaging has demonstrated stent patency. Conclusions In the emergency setting when coronary artery perforation fails to respond to standard initial and bail out techniques, peripheral arterial techniques and devices can be extremely useful. A good relationship between interventional cardiology and radiology is paramount.