Left Ventricular Perforation Following Transcutaneous Pigtail Catheter Placement Mimicking Anterior Wall Myocardial Infarction: An Unusual Complication

• Published in: Journal of Acute Medicine Vol. 14; no. 3; pp. 125 - 129
• Main Authors: Po, Tien-Lung, Hung, Huei-Fong, Yen, Yu-Tong, Chuang, Cheng-Yen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: China (Republic : 1949- ) 台灣急診醫學會 ＆ Ainosco Press 01.09.2024; Ainosco Press
• Subjects: Case Report; electrocardiogram; fluoroscopy; pigtail catheter; coronary angiography; cardiorrhaphy; Keywords: cardiorrhaphy
• DOI: 10.6705/j.jacme.202409_14(3).0004
• ISSN: 2211-5587

In modern medical practice, procedures that involve the use of catheters are common. These procedures can range from percutaneous coronary and peripheral vascular interventions to using catheters to drain fluid. However, complications associated with catheter usage can arise, and the most severe one is the puncture of a vital organ due to catheter misplacement. In this case, we present a rare complication related to the use of a pigtail catheter, which caused perforation of the left ventricular free wall. The patient presented with an electrocardiogram showing ST segment elevation in the anterior wall, indicative of a heart attack. The patient underwent coronary angiography, which showed that the coronary arteries were unblocked. However, during the procedure, the medical team suspected that the pigtail catheter was stuck in the left ventricle chamber, based on the use of fluoroscopy. This suspicion was later confirmed using computer tomography. To address the issue, the patient underwent an emergent cardiorrhaphy, which was performed immediately. Fortunately, the patient survived the complication.