Penetration into pericardial cavity during cardiac catheterization

Repair of an iatrogenic aortoatrial fistula

“…A mortality of 0.2% to 0.08% within 24 hr of the procedure has been reported for cineangiography [2,3]. As early as 1953, cardiac perforation secondary to catheterization was reported [4], and an incidence of perforation of the heart or great vessels has been noted in 0.8% of cases. Although the complication of the perforation of the aortic root has been previously described [5], technique for repair has not been emphasized.…”