Extramural vessel wall hematoma causing a reduced vessel diameter after coronary stenting: Diagnosis by intravascular ultrasound and treatment by stent implantation

An extramural vessel wall hematoma occured immediately after implanting a coronary stent in an in-stent-restenosis of the intermedius branch. Angiography showed a significant luminal reduction distal to the intervention site. Intravascular ultrasound revealed an extramural echolucent zone compressing the vessel lumen. Stent implantation compressed the hematoma and allowed adequate myocardial perfusion. This demonstrates the value of intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) in cases of unusual angiographic results which can help to manage complications after coronary intervention. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Diagn. 43:438–443, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.