Endovascular treatment of iatrogenic perforation of extracranial vertebral artery with intrathoracic bleeding

Unintended arterial puncture is a frequent complication of central venous catheterization (CVC) in the neck; this involves arterial bleeding that usually stops after manual compression. More serious bleeding occurs if there is an accidental catheterization of the artery. Arterial cannulation occurs in 0.1% to 1% of CVC insertions and normally affects the carotid artery. 1 Vertebral artery injuries are the rarest complications of CVC insertions. The patient consented to the publication of this report.