MYCOTIC-ANEURYSM OF THE EXTERNAL ILIAC AR TERY AS A COMPLICATION OF PERCUTANEOUS TRANSLUMINAL CORONARY ANGIOPLASTY

Percutaneous coronary interventional procedures exhibit an increased r isk of peripheral vascular complications compared with diagnostic coro nary angiography. Septic complications affect typically the puncture s ite. We describe a septic event (staphylococcus aureus) resulting in a mycotic aneurysm of the iliacal artery with embolic gonarthritis afte r a prolonged percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty performed 13 days after diagnostic coronary angiography using the same vascular access. The presumed culprit was the reintroduced dilatator which mus t have been contaminated. An emergency resection of the aneurysm and i mplantation of a Gore-Tex crossover bypass had to be performed. With p rolonged parenteral and enteral antibiotic treatment the infection was controled. We discuss risk factors for septic complications after cor onary interventions and possible preventive measures.