catheter-induced dissection of a normal right coronary artery: reappraisal of the underlying mechanisms

Abstract

Iatrogenic coronary artery dissection during diagnostic coronary catheterization is a rare but life-threatening event with a reported incidence of less than 0.1%. The current case report addresses the issue of catheter-induced dissection of an apparently normal right coronary artery (RCA). I tried to explain the factors underlying its occurrence, in view of the current knowledge of the aortic root motion during the cardiac cycle, and the spatial orientation of the RCA ostium.