A case report of type I acute aortic intramural hematoma with localized dissection as a complication of renal artery stenting

Percutaneous renal artery stenting has been demonstrated as an effective procedure to improve blood pressure control and preserve renal function of patients with artherosclerotic renal artery stenosis. Although it is a relatively safe procedure, some serious complications, including retroperitoneal hemorrhage, atheroembolism, and arterial dissection, can occur. However, development of aortic intramural hematoma (AIH), a different clinical disease entity from the aortic dissection, has not been reported as a complication of the procedure. We report a unique case with AIH that was successfully treated with medication. A 71-year-old woman with uncontrolled hypertension underwent percutaneous renal artery stenting for treatment of the ostial stenosis of the right renal artery. Immediately after implantation of the stent, she complained of severe back pain and her systolic blood pressure dropped from 170 to 80 mm Hg. Aortography showed about 5 cm-sized localized dissection arising from the ostium of the right renal artery; however, computerized tomography (CT) scans taken immediately after the procedure revealed DeBakey type I AIH with a localized dissection from the right renal artery and pericardial effusion. Because of her refusal to take surgical intervention, which is a standard treatment, she was stabilized with intensive medical treatment. After 14 days of stabilization, AIH and pericardial effusion resolved on the follow-up CT scans. Her blood pressure was well controlled with oral antihypertensive medications and she was discharged without other complication.