Transient Hypertensive Response to CO₂Aortography in a Patient with Pheochromocytoma

We report on a 15-year-old male with 4-year history of hypertension and retroperitoneal masses referred to Interventional Radiology to evaluate the nature of the persistent masses and renal artery stenosis. Angiographic evaluation began with CO2aortogram during which the patient had a hypertensive response with bradycardia and arrhythmia to the intra-aortic injection of CO2. His hypertension, bradycardia, and arrhythmia responded to an intravenous nitroglycerin drip without administration of alpha or beta blockers. Due to this response and neovascularity of the mass, selective venous sampling of catecholamines and renin was performed which confirmed functioning paragangliomas and hemodynamically significant stenosis of left accessory renal artery, respectively. This is the first known case of hypertensive response to CO2 aortography in a patient with unsuspected functioning paragangliomas. We propose that patients with known or suspected diagnosis of catecholamine-secreting tumors undergoing CO2 angiography should be considered for pre-procedural treatment with alpha and beta blockage or have the appropriate medication on hand with close monitoring in the event of hypertensive response.

Ruptured Splenic Artery Aneurysm (SAA) in an Elderly Patient with Hypercoagulability: A Very Vague Presentation

Here, we discuss a 78-year-old woman with symptoms of shortness of breath and intermittent productive cough, which worsened over time. She had a history of Factor V Leiden and unprovoked pulmonary embolism (PE) and was on lifelong warfarin. The patient was found to have a widened mediastinum and a small left-sided pleural effusion on chest X-ray, leading to CT aortogram to assess for aortic pathology. While in the CT scanner, she experienced an acute deterioration and went into shock. The initial diagnosis was anaphylactic reaction to the contrast agent, but the CT images revealed an active bleeding in the left upper quadrant, possibly of splenic origin. The patient was stabilized with aggressive resuscitation measures and transferred to a referral hospital for urgent surgery. The surgery revealed a ruptured splenic artery aneurysm (SAA), and the patient was taken to the intensive care unit (ICU) for further management. However, she developed a large infarct in the left occipital lobe and passed away after six days. The case highlights the significance of recognizing the symptoms and signs of SAA and then taking a multidisciplinary approach in managing SAA patients, particularly those with hypercoagulability (Graphic 1).

Iatrogenic aortic dissection during right transradial intervention in a patient with aberrant right subclavian artery:A case report

BACKGROUND Aberrant right subclavian artery(ARSA)is the most common congenital anomaly of the aortic arch.When patients having such anomalies receive transradial intervention(TRI),aortic dissection(AD)may occur.Herein,we discuss a case of iatrogenic type B AD occurring during right TRI in an ARSA patient,that was later salvaged by percutaneous angioplasty.CASE SUMMARY A 73-year-old man presented to our hospital with intermittent chest pain.Coronary computed tomography(CT)angiography revealed significant stenosis in the left anterior descending artery.Diagnostic coronary angiography was performed via the right radial artery without difficulty.However,we were unable to advance the guiding catheter past the ostium of the right subclavian artery to the aortic arch for percutaneous coronary intervention,while the guidewire tended to go down the descending aorta.The patient suddenly complained of chest and back pain.Emergent CT aortography revealed type B AD propagating to the left renal artery(RA)with preserved renal perfusion.However,after 2 d,the patient suddenly complained of right lower limb pain where the femoral pulse was suddenly undetectable.Follow-up CT indicated further progression of dissection to the right external iliac artery(EIA)and left RA with limited flow.We performed percutaneous angioplasty of the right EIA and left RA without complications.Follow-up CT aortography at 8 mo showed optimal results.CONCLUSION A caution is required during right TRI in ARSA to avoid AD.Percutaneous angioplasty can be a treatment option.