Coronary arterial embolism due to valvular debris after percutaneous valvuloplasty of calcific mitral stenosis

A 74-year-old woman with refractory congestive heart failure due to long-standing calcific mitral stenosis who refused surgical intervention was treated with percutaneous balloon valvuloplasty. After an uneventful procedure, hemodynamic results were satisfactory with an increase in the mitral valve area from 0.4 to 1.1 cm2. Five hours after the procedure, the patient had a bout of vomiting followed by pulmonary aspiration. Electrocardiography, and in the further course, creatine kinase MB elevation, showed anterior myocardial infarction. Necropsy disclosed embolic material in the mid left anterior descending artery which unequivocally consisted of valvular material. This case demonstrates embolism of valvular debris as a life-threatening, procedure-related complication of percutaneous valvuloplasty of calcific mitral stenosis.