Ductus arteriosus rupture as a balloon catheter atrioseptostomy complication.

A newborn with transposition of the great arteries presented with rupture of the ductus arteriosus after balloon catheter atrioseptostomy. The necropsy study demonstrated persistent ductus patency, and a 0.5-cm-long horizontal fissure could be observed. On microscopy, there was laceration of the intimal layer, with wall dissection and focal hemorrhage extending to the adventitia. Ductus rupture was attributed to the wall weakness, as a consequence of prostaglandin E1 administration.