Cardiac tamponade complicating coronary perforation during angioplasty: short-term outcomes and long-term survival.

Background: Cardiac tamponade constitutes the most severe clinical consequence of a coronary perforation (CP) during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: We analyzed 23,399 PCIs and identified 73 patients complicated by CP (0.31%), of which 26 developed tamponade (0.11%). Patients were divided into two groups: CP with tamponade (group A) and CP without tamponade (group B). Characteristics and outcomes were compared and a multivariate model was developed to evaluate the independent contribution of tamponade on mortality.

Results: All patients with tamponade were treated with pericardiocentesis. Tamponade increased the risk of death by more than 3-fold (odds ratio [OR] = 3.3; 95% confidence interval [CI],1.01-10.6; P=.047) relative to patients with CP but no tamponade. CP with tamponade during non-elective PCI carried a significantly worse long-term prognosis (P=.001) than the same complications during elective PCI. The use of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors and bivalirudin did not differ between groups. Polytetrafluoroethylene-covered stents were used similarly between the two groups, while coil embolization was used more often in group A (P=.003). Emergent cardiac surgery was needed in 3 patients (11.5%) in group A versus 1 patient (2.1%) in group B.

Conclusions: Tamponade complicating CP during PCI has short- and long-term major adverse effects. In-hospital mortality after tamponade and referral for emergent surgical treatment have decreased. Nonetheless, tamponade in this setting increases risk of death by >3-fold. PCI of complex lesions with an expected increased risk of perforation should be undertaken cautiously among patients with non-elective PCI because of increased early and late risk of death.