Successful endovascular treatment of iatrogenic coronary artery dissection extending into the entire ascending aorta

Iatrogenic acute dissection of the ascending aorta during percutaneous coronary intervention occurs rarely. Localized aortic dissections may be treated by sealing the entry with a coronary stent. However, extensive dissections may require a surgical intervention. A case of iatrogenic coronary dissection with extensive propagation into the ascending aorta during angioplasty of the right coronary artery is presented. The aortic dissection was successfully treated by stenting at the right coronary artery ostium. Follow-up computed tomography and coronary angiography showed complete resolution of aortic dissection.     

Dissection of the aortic sinus of valsalva complicating coronary catheterization: Cause,mechanism, evolution,and management

We have rarely observed the appearance of a dissection of the aortic sinus of Valsalva during catheterizations of the related coronary artery. The aim of this study is to describe the cause, mechanism, and evolution of this complication, which have implications for the management of the patient. According to our experience (one case out of 12,546 diagnostic and three cases out of 4,970 angioplasty procedures performed during the last 6 years), the dissection of the sinus of Valsalva always results from the retrograde extension of a dissection of the right coronary artery. It usually remains localized, but it may quickly involve the entire aorta. Contrast injections and balloon inflations promote its propagation, so these procedures should be avoided if possible. Instead of angiography, transesophageal echocardiogram is a safe and accurate method for studying its extension and as a follow-up method. The sinus of Valsalva dissections that remain localized during catheterization tend to spontaneously resolve in the first month. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Diagn. 43:273–279, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is an unusual cause of acute myocardial ischemia with complex pathophysiology. This paper reviews the major diagnostic and therapeutic issues of this rare but important disease. The diagnosis of SCAD should be strongly considered in any patient who presents with symptoms suggestive of acute myocardial ischemia, particularly in young subjects without traditional risk factors for coronary artery disease (especially in young women during the peripartum period or in association with oral contraceptive use). Urgent coronary angiography is indicated to establish the diagnosis and to determine the appropriate therapeutic approach. The decision to pursue medical management, percutaneous coronary intervention, or surgical revascularization is based primarily on the clinical presentation, extent of dissection, and amount of ischemic myocardium at risk.     

Primary percutaneous coronary intervention of an anomalous right coronary artery arising from the left coronary cusp using an undersized Judkins catheter: A case report

Occlusion of an anomalous right coronary artery arising from the left coronary cusp is a rare cause of acute inferior wall myocardial infarction. The case of a 66-year-old man who presented with an acute inferior wall myocardial infarction from occlusion of an anomalous right coronary artery arising from the left coronary cusp is described. An undersized Judkins left guide catheter was successfully used to perform primary percutaneous coronary intervention for this anomaly. Computed tomographic angiography was subsequently used to characterize the origin and anatomical course of the anomalous right coronary artery and assess coronary stent patency.     

Single coronary artery anomaly: branching of left coronary artery from right coronary artery with 2 distinct patterns

Normal coronary vasculature has a left coronary artery arising from the left coronary cusp and a right coronary artery arising from the right coronary cusp. In about 0.024% of cases in the general population, there is no left main coronary artery. In fact, there is a single coronary artery, which arises from the right coronary cusp. We encountered 2 such cases with distinct patterns. The first case was a patient with angina who had an abnormal stress test for which he underwent coronary angiography. This revealed a single coronary artery arising from the right coronary cusp. This vessel gave rise to the right coronary artery, which had a varicose anatomy, with a critical lesion in the posterior descending artery. The left coronary artery passed anteriorly to the pulmonary artery with a critical lesion in the circumflex artery. In the second case, the patient also had angina with a normal noninvasive work-up but due to his persistent symptoms, coronary angiography was performed. This revealed a single coronary artery arising from the right coronary cusp. Subsequent CT angiography revealed that the left coronary artery coursed in between the aorta and pulmonary artery without critical lesions. In both cases, the patients underwent coronary artery bypass grafting.     

Aortic root and extensive coronary dissections complicating recanalization of chronic right coronary artery occlusion: refraining from stenting may have a favorable outcome!

Aortic root dissection is a rare, potentially life-threatening complication of revascularization procedures. We report a case of recanalization of chronic total occlusion of the right coronary artery. A huge coronary dissection with a false lumen was created using commercially available guidewires during attempts to establish a connection with the distal true vessel lumen. In addition, an aortic root dissection from the right coronary cusp occurred. The patient was asymptomatic and a decision was made to refrain from stent deployment in order not to close communications between the false, true lumen and branches. The hospital stay was uneventful and the patient was discharged on conservative management. Control angiography at 3 months revealed patency of the right coronary artery with complete healing of the aortic wall dissection and improved clinical status of the patient.     

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection and associated CT coronary angiographic findings: a case report and review

We report a case of an acute coronary syndrome in a 21-year-old male with invasive coronary angiography and computed tomography (CT) coronary angiography showing a spontaneous dissection of the left anterior descending artery. To our knowledge the CT coronary angiographic appearance of spontaneous coronary artery dissection has been reported only once before. We describe the role CT coronary angiography may have in the evaluation of coronary dissection as well as potential treatment options.     

The mystery of the lost and found right coronary artery

Most coronary artery anomalies are discovered only incidentally during coronary angiography. Recognition and identification of these anomalies especially during coronary intervention procedures are of importance because of their occasional association with symptoms due to atherosclerotic coronary disease. Anomalous origin of the right coronary artery (RCA) from the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) is one of the most uncommon coronary anomalies. We report an extremely interesting case of anomalous RCA from the LAD presenting as acute inferior ST elevation MI, with ostial total block of the RCA, precluding its visualization during coronary angiography. Interventional Cardiologists need to be aware of such anatomical variations, as occasionally, this can lead to a diagnostic dilemma, as in our case. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Delayed spontaneous recanalization of a totally occluded right coronary artery following failed percutaneous coronary intervention with associated Type F dissection: case report and review

Coronary artery dissection is a well-known and frequent complication of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We report the first case of a Type F dissection following PCI of the distal right coronary artery causing total vessel occlusion that could not be stented but was associated with late spontaneous recanalization and a favorable outcome.     

Left main stem coronary artery dissection during coronary angiography

This paper describes a case of dissection of the main stem of the left coronary artery during coronary angiography with an uneventful clinical course. As far as we know, only one comparable case has been reported before. A brief survey of the pertinent literature is presented. Some possible pathogenetic factors are considered. No specific preventive or therapeutic measurement can be recommended.     

Unsuspected articulation side-strut extension during stenting in a tortuous right coronary artery

This case report demonstrates the effect of articulation stent-strut extension during attempts to deploy a stent in a tortuous, calcified right coronary artery. The manipulation of the stent-sheath relationship and the effect of a tortuous, calcified artery produced serial dissections resulting in the implantation of three stents to seal the dissection. Caution should be used when employing rigid sheathed stent systems through tortuous vessels. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Diagn. 42:417–419, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection in a professional body builder

A 23-year-old male, a professional body builder, developed squeezing retrosternal chest pain following weight lifting. On examination, heart rate was 42 bpm and he had blood pressure of 70/50 mm Hg. An electrocardiogram was taken and showed inferior and right ventricular ST elevation myocardial infarction. Therefore, emergency coronary angiography was done and showed normal left coronaries. Right coronary artery angiogram revealed a dissection in the mid-part of the right coronary artery which was extended to the right ventricular branch.     

Coronary artery dissection—A complication of cardiac catheterization without sequelae: Case report and review of the literature

This report describes an acute right coronary artery dissection occurring during diagnostic cardiac catheterization. Following catheter manipulation in the vicinity of the aortic valve, the patient complained of mild chest discomfort and had transient electrocardiographic evidence of acute inferior wall myocardial infarction with runs of 2:1 atrioventricular block. Within 5 min, the EKG reverted to precatheterization appearance, and the patient was asymptomatic. Coronary angiography revealed a dissection of the proximal vessel without obstruction. The patient had no clinical sequelae while monitored in the intensive care unit. The patient underwent elective aortic and mitral valve replacement. The area of the dissection was directly visualized, and no abnormality was noted. We review the literature of spontaneous and iatrogenic coronary artery dissections with regard to pathology, diagnosis, and prognosis, and make recommendations for therapy.     

Percutaneous treatment of catheter‐induced dissection of the left main coronary artery and adjacent aortic wall: A case report

Left main coronary artery dissection complicating selective coronary angiography is uncommon. Moreover, aortic root dissection associated with coronary intervention is underreported and may require urgent surgical intervention. During percutaneous coronary angioplasty of a catheter‐induced left main coronary artery dissection, retrograde dissection of the adjacent aortic root occurred. Both were successfully treated by stenting of the left main coronary artery. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Intervent. 49:86–89, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Coronary artery stenting for spontaneous coronary artery dissection: A case report and review of the literature

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection is an uncommon cause of acute coronary syndromes. It occurs in three major groups: in young women in the peripartum period, in patients with atherosclerotic disease, and in an idiopathic group. There are a number of associated conditions, but the pathogenesis remains unclear. Diagnosis can only be made at angiography. Treatments include medical therapy, coronary artery bypass grafts, and newer interventional procedures. We report on a case of spontaneous coronary artery dissection involving the left circumflex artery in a young adult male presenting with a myocardial infarction after exercise. There were no risk factors for coronary artery disease and no evidence of atherosclerosis on angiography. The dissection was treated with primary coronary artery stenting without predilation, achieving an excellent result. To our knowledge, this is the third known case of successful coronary artery stenting for this condition and the first case of primary stenting without prior angioplasty. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Diagn. 45:280–286, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

右冠状动脉成形术306例临床分析

目的分析评估右冠状动脉成形术(PTCA)和支架置入术的特点。方法总结1995年1月至1999年12月行右冠状动脉PTCA和支架置入术的冠心病患者306例。结果对306例右冠状动脉的338处病变行PTCA和支架置入术;17例失败,手术成功率为94.4%,支架置入成功率98.8%。其中严重夹层撕裂7例(包括2例急性心肌梗死和1例死亡),因开口异常被迫中止手术1例,导丝不能通过闭塞病变9例,心包积血死亡1例,并发急性血栓形成2例,支架远端再撕裂2例。结论右冠状动脉因其开口位置和方向变异相对较大,走向和分支等解剖具有不同的特点,行PTCA和支架置入时必需考虑其特点,尽量减少并发症的发生。     

Postpartum dissection of the left main coronary artery

Peripartum coronary artery dissection is rare, but it is an increasingly recognized risk to women of childbearing age. Literature reviews reveal that about 80% of the population with spontaneous coronary artery dissections (SCAD) are female, and approximately 25-33% of cases occurred while the woman was pregnant or in the peripartum phase. Most cases have presented within 2 weeks of delivery. The left anterior descending is the most commonly affected vessel. The etiology is poorly understood, but many reports suggest that SCAD occurs as a result of protease release secondary to an eosinophilic vasculitis resulting in vessel lysis. Many investigators have examined the correlation between peripartum SCAD and estrogen levels; however, case studies have shown conflicting results regarding estrogen levels as the putative causative factor. Optimal treatment remains controversial. Presently, stenting appears to be best employed in the patients who have single-vessel dissection not involving the left main coronary artery (LMCA). Surgical revascularization via coronary artery bypass graft remains the optimal therapy in patients whose dissection involves the LMCA, in patients with concurrent multivessel dissection, and in patients with disease refractory to medical management. It is important to consider coronary artery dissection in the differential of any young woman who presents with signs or symptoms consistent with acute coronary syndrome, particularly if she is peripartum. Furthermore, once suspected, it is imperative that a definitive diagnostic study, that is, coronary angiography, be completed prior to the initiation of treatment whenever possible.     

Case report: a very large dissection in the left anterior descending coronary artery of a 56-year-old man

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare condition that usually occurs in relatively young patients who are predominantly female. Seldom it could be a cause of acute myocardial ischemia leading to a sudden cardiac death. SCAD consists of intramural hematoma formation or, rarely, intimal tears that initiate and propagate the dissection in the vessel wall. In rare cases, the SCAD occurs in male patients. We report the case of a 56-year-old man with acute myocardial infarction who was successfully treated via systemic thrombolysis in a peripheral hospital. Associated conditions were thrombosis of right femoral artery in the past and high platelet count (800,000/mm³). After 1 month, elective coronary angiography revealed a very diffuse spiral dissection of the left anterior descending artery; hence, our choice of medical treatment consisted of double oral antiplatelet therapy (clopidogrel 75 mg plus aspirin 325 mg once daily). After a 2-year follow-up, there was absence of both angina and myocardial ischemia and there was a decrease in platelet count. Many strategies could be considered in patients with SCAD, such as PCI, bypass surgery, or conservative medical management. In general, the long-term prognosis of patients with SCAD is considered favorable if they survive the acute phase.     

Angiographically documented coronary vasospasm as a cause of myocardial infarction during the acute phase of aortic dissection

Summary We angiographically documented coronary vasospasm which resulted in myocardial infarction during the acute phase of aortic dissection (Stanford A). Coronary and aortic angiography performed at admission of the patient revealed complete occlusion of the right coronary artery and dissection of the aorta. Intracoronary injection of isosorbide dinitrate and intravenous administration of verapamil opened the occluded right coronary artery and blood flow was fully restored. We conclude that, in this case of aortic dissection, the severe stimulation by the aortic dissection brought about vasospasm of the right coronary artery which was the major cause of myocardial infarction. This is the first case report showing clear evidence that myocardial infarction is brought about by vasospasm associated with aortic dissection.     

Triple origin of left coronary arteries from right coronary artery: Unusual case of single coronary artery

A rare case of coronary anomaly is presented: all of the coronary arteries originated from a single ostium located in the right coronary cusp. No clinical evidence of coronary pathology was recognized until the age of 57 years when the patient was found to have coronary obstructive disease. The single coronary artery had a main branch corresponding to the usual dominant right coronary artery. Three other branches separated from this and vascularized the areas normally receiving the circumflex and ramus medianus, the left anterior descending, and a large septal branch.