Coronary aneurysm after implantation of a paclitaxel‐eluting stent

Abstract

Formation of coronary aneurysm is a rare complication of stenting with bare metal stents, but based on experimental studies drug‐eluting stents may induce toxic effects on the vessel wall with incomplete stent apposition, aneurysm formation and with the potential of stent thrombosis or vessel rupture. We present a 43‐year‐old man who developed a coronary aneurysm in the right coronary artery 6 months after receiving a paclitaxel‐eluting stent. The patient was asymptomatic and the aneurysm was detected in a routine control. Angiography and intracoronary ultrasound demonstrated lack of contact between stent and vessel wall in a 15‐mm long segment with maximal aneurysm diameter of 6.0 mm. The patient was successfully treated with a graft stent.