Inadvertent vascular injury of the aorta or vena cava caused by acupuncture

Endovascular Thoracic Aortic Repair for Catheter Associated Aortic Injury During Thoracostomy Tube Placement

Background

Aortic injuries during non-aortic related procedures are rare but potentially catastrophic. Endovascular aortic repair has been described as a viable option in similar circumstances. However, most reports involve aortic injury from orthopaedic hardware after spine surgery or trocar injury during abdominal surgery.

Report

This is a report of a thoracic aortic injury during thoracostomy tube placement and summary of the management paradigm. The patient was treated with a thoracic stent graft and was seen at four-month follow up, with imaging showing the endograft in stable position.

Conclusion

Endovascular stenting can increase the treatment scope for management of emergent thoracic aortic pathology.

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Iatrogenic aortic injuries during non-aortic related procedures are rare.

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Such injuries can be catastrophic.

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Most reported injuries involve orthopaedic hardware from spine surgery.

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This is a case of thoracostomy tube placement leading to acute aortic injury.

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Endovascular aortic endografts have simplified treatment of acute aortic injuries.