Perforation of the gastroduodenal artery induced by steerable guidewires in two cases: treatment of hemorrhage by embolization.

We encountered 2 cases of guidewire-induced perforation of the gastroduodenal artery after using a hydrophil-coated guidewire. The guidewire penetrated a small side branch of the normal gastroduodenal artery in 1 patient and the weakened gastroduodenal artery due to pancreatic pseudocyst in the other patient. Both complications resulted in serious hemorrhage and were successfully managed by transcatheter embolization using steel coils. In an era of widespread use of hydrophil-coated guidewires for superselective catheterization, it is important to appreciate the possibility of this potentially serious complication.