Massive Hemothorax Following Transradial Coronary Angioplasty

Hemothorax is a rare complication following coronary angioplasty. We report a case of a young adult who presented with anterior wall myocardial infarction, underwent coronary angioplasty, and subsequently developed massive right-sided hemothorax. It was suspected clinically and a chest radiograph and contrast-enhanced computer tomography (CECT) of the thorax confirmed the diagnosis. Injury to the right subclavian and right internal mammary arteries was subsequently ruled out by selective angiography. Despite our best efforts, we could not find any evidence of perforation or any bleeding site; therefore, the patient was successfully managed conservatively with intercostal drainage (ICD) and blood transfusion. We review this rare complication and its differentials and briefly discuss the literature.