Septum hematoma: a complication of retrograde wiring in chronic total occlusion

In spite of the remarkable technological innovation and improved outcomes with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), chronically total occlusion in coronary arteries (CTO) remains a formidable challenge for coronary interventionalist. Recently Japanese interventionists have proposed a retrograde wiring technique which provides another way to resolve such difficulties. The retrograde wire in the distal CTO vessel can then be used as a clear landmark in the distal true lumen, facilitating antegrade wiring and possibly increasing the success rate of CTO-PCI. Reported here is a patient who experienced retrograde wire technique but suffered from a complication with septum hematoma and myocardial infarction. The patient had a complete recovery of chest symptoms and resolution of septum hematoma in 1 month. Retrograde wire manipulation should be used as a last resort and via a large collateral vessel in the treatment of CTO.