Likelihood of left main coronary artery compression based on pulmonary trunk diameter in patients with pulmonary hypertension

PURPOSE: In patients with pulmonary hypertension, extrinsic compression of the left main coronary artery by a dilated pulmonary trunk may cause angina, left ventricular ischemia, and sudden death. We assessed coronary artery compression in relation to pulmonary trunk diameter and other demographic, echocardiographic, hemodynamic, and scintigraphic variables. METHODS: Thirty-six patients (aged 15 to 86 years) with pulmonary hypertension, either idiopathic or associated with congenital heart disease, were enrolled. Left main coronary artery compression was defined angiographically as > or =50% obstruction associated with downward displacement of the vessel. Pulmonary trunk and aortic diameters were measured by transthoracic echocardiography. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients had angina, of whom 7 had left coronary artery compression. Compression was related to pulmonary trunk diameter (P = 0.002) and to the ratio of pulmonary trunk diameter to aortic diameter (P = 0.02). Compression was not seen at pulmonary artery diameters <40 mm; among 19 patients with values > or =40 mm, the rate was 37%. Similarly, compression did not occur at pulmonary trunk to aortic diameter ratios <1.21; among 27 patients with ratios > or =1.21, the rate was 26%. CONCLUSION: In pulmonary hypertension, noninvasive measurement of pulmonary trunk diameter may be helpful in determining the likelihood of left coronary artery compression and in selecting patients for diagnostic coronary angiography.     

Stenting in primary pulmonary hypertension with compression of the left main coronary artery

Primary pulmonary hypertension is often associated with angina-like chest pain of uncertain etiology. Left main coronary artery compression by the pulmonary artery is a treatable cause of angina and should be considered in these patients. We describe a patient presenting with primary pulmonary hypertension, clinical angina and extrinsic compression of the left main coronary artery by the pulmonary artery, who was treated with direct stenting.     

Left main coronary artery compression in pulmonary hypertension

Extrinsic compression of the left main coronary artery (LMCA) by a dilated pulmonary artery (PA) in the setting of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is an increasingly recognized disease entity. LMCA compression has been associated with angina, arrhythmia, heart failure, and sudden cardiac death in patients with PAH. Recent studies suggest that at least 6% of patients with PAH have significant LMCA compression. Screening for LMCA compression can be achieved with computed coronary tomography angiography, with a particular emphasis on assessment of PA size and any associated downward displacement and reduced takeoff angle of the LMCA. Indeed, evidence of a dilated PA (>40 mm), a reduced LMCA takeoff angle (<60° ), and/or LMCA stenosis on CCTA imaging should prompt further diagnostic evaluation. Coronary angiography in conjunction with intravascular imaging has proven effective in diagnosing LMCA compression and guiding subsequent treatment. While optimal medical therapy and surgical correction remain in the clinician's arsenal, percutaneous coronary intervention has emerged as an effective treatment for LMCA compression. Given the prevalence of LMCA compression, its associated morbidity, and mortality, and the wide array of successful treatment strategies, maintaining a high degree of suspicion for this condition, and understanding the potential treatment strategies is critical.     

Stenting to reverse left ventricular ischemia due to left main coronary artery compression in primary pulmonary hypertension

Angina is a common symptom of severe pulmonary hypertension. Although many theories for the source of this pain have been proposed, right ventricular ischemia is the one most commonly accepted as the cause. We report on two patients with primary pulmonary hypertension who had angina with normal activity or on provocation. One patient had severe left ventricular dysfunction. Both were found to have severe ostial stenosis of the left main coronary artery as a result of compression from a dilated pulmonary artery. Both patients underwent stenting of the left main coronary artery with excellent angiographic results, and complete resolution of the signs and symptoms of angina and left ventricular ischemia. Left ventricular ischemia due to compression of the left main coronary artery may be a much more common mechanism of angina and left ventricular dysfunction in patients with pulmonary hypertension than previously acknowledged. Stenting of the coronary artery can be done safely with the resolution of these symptoms.     

Percutaneous intervention of left main coronary artery compression by pulmonary artery aneurysm

Background: Extrinsic compression of the left main coronary artery (LMCA) by a pulmonary artery aneurysm (PAA) has become increasingly recognized as an etiology of angina in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and efficacy of LMCA stenting in the treatment LMCA stenosis because of PAA. Methods: Retrospective analysis of data on patients with PAH who presented with angina and underwent percutaneous intervention of their LMCA compression because of PAA was performed. Results: Five patients (age 51 ± 16 years, all female) with PAH presented with angina and underwent LMCA stenting between 2007 and 2009. Four had positive cardiac enzymes. LMCA compression because of a PAA was diagnosed in all patients with cardiac CT angiography after echocardiography demonstrated an enlarged pulmonary artery. LMCA stenting was successfully performed in all patients with resolution of angina and electrocardiographic abnormalities. After a mean follow‐up of 16.6 ± 15.7 months (range of 5–39 months), patients remained angina free, no complications of the procedure were noted, and long term stent patency was confirmed in three of the five patients who underwent repeat cardiac CT angiography. Conclusions: LMCA stenting appears to be a feasible and durable option in patients who present with angina because of compression by PAA. This procedure was well tolerated and is of particular value given the increased surgical risk in patients with PAH. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Acute coronary syndrome due to extrinsic compression of the left main coronary artery in a patient with severe pulmonary hypertension: successful treatment with percutaneous coronary intervention

A patient with severe pulmonary (arterial) hypertension (PH) presented with a non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction and recurrent angina at rest. Coronary angiography showed severe ostial left main coronary artery (LMCA) stenosis; coronary arteries were otherwise normal. Intravascular ultrasonography (IVUS) showed deformation of the LMCA due to extrinsic compression from a markedly dilated main pulmonary artery, which was confirmed by cardiac computed tomography. The LMCA was successfully stented using a paclitaxel-eluting stent resulting in complete resolution of angina. Extrinsic compression of the LMCA should be considered in patients with severe PH and angina; IVUS may aid in the diagnosis. Percutaneous stent implantation may be the preferred treatment in this high-risk group of patients.     

Chest pain in a patient with pulmonary arterial hypertension

Chest pain is a frequent symptom in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Left main coronary artery (LMCA) extrinsic compression from a pulmonary artery (PA) is an increasingly recognized cause of angina or complications, such as acute myocardial infarction, left ventricular dysfunction, arrythmia, and sudden death.We report the case of a 45-year-old patient with pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension (PH), a patent ductus arteriosus corrected surgically during adolescence, and chronic constrictive bronchiolitis. In 2016, the patient began to report oppressive chest pain and worsening fatigue. Computed tomography coronary angiography (CTCA) showed extrinsic LMCA compression by a dilated PA, which was confirmed by invasive coronary angiography and intravascular ultrasound. After stent implantation, the patient reported symptom resolution, and has been asymptomatic ever since.Imaging studies, in particular CTCA, play an important role in the diagnosis of LMCA compression in patients with PAH. The reported case supports the efficacy and safety of stent implantation as a therapeutic option, as already demonstrated in the literature. It shows the complexity of decision making on the operability of systemic-to-pulmonary shunts and reinforces the importance of continuous diagnostic testing.     

Extrinsic Compression of the Left Coronary Ostium by the Pulmonary Trunk: Management in a Case of Eisenmenger Syndrome

Extrinsic compression of the left main coronary artery by a massively dilated pulmonary artery in patients who have severe pulmonary hypertension can lead to significant myocardial ischemia. A 58-year-old man with a large patent ductus arteriosus and Eisenmenger syndrome presented with angina at rest and worsening heart failure of 3 months'' duration. The new symptoms were recognized to be secondary to extrinsic compression of the left main coronary artery ostium by a dilated main pulmonary artery and were successfully relieved by the placement of a metallic stent in the affected segment of the left main coronary artery. Multislice computed tomographic imaging after 6 months showed stent patency and the intimate relation of the stented vessel to the dilated main pulmonary trunk. We discuss diagnostic and management issues pertaining to this uncommon clinical entity.Key words: Angina pectoris/etiology, angioplasty, transluminal, percutaneous coronary, constriction, patho-logic/etiology, coronary stenosis/etiology, dilatation, pathologic/complications, ductus arteriosus, patent, Eisenmenger complex/ complications, hypertension, pulmonary/complications, stents, tomography, X-ray computedA pulmonary trunk dilated by severe pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH) can compress the aortic ostium of the left main coronary artery (LMCA).¹ If the primary disease process causing PAH cannot be reversed, progressive coronary narrowing can lead to left ventricular myocardial dysfunction, angina, and worsening of heart failure.² We report the case of a 58-year-old patient with a large patent ductus arteriosus and Eisenmenger syndrome who presented with angina at rest and worsening of heart failure due to left ventricular dysfunction. Coronary angiography showed extrinsic compression of the LMCA, at its origin, by a dilated pulmonary trunk. Stenting of the LMCA resulted in immediate relief of angina and led to symptomatic improvement.     

Left main coronary artery and aortic root compression associated with atrial septal defect and pulmonary hypertension

The extrinsic compression of left main coronary artery (LMCA) by dilated pulmonary artery is rarely reported. Various congenital and acquired diseases were shown to cause extrinsic LMCA compression. Here we present a child with aortic root and LMCA compression due to dilated pulmonary trunk and causing angina like chest pain. The patient had also electrocardiographic evidence of myocardial ischemia. This case report will be a guide for the evaluation and surgical treatment of the patients with pulmonary hypertension and LMCA compression.     

Percutaneous coronary intervention for extrinsic coronary compression after pulmonary valve replacement.

Coronary artery compression is a rare and potentially fatal complication after pulmonary valve replacement. This report describes myocardial infarction from extrinsic left main coronary artery compression after pulmonary valve replacement in a 10-y-old boy. He was successfully treated with percutaneous coronary intervention.     

A case of left main systolic compression caused by a dilated pulmonary artery in a patient with congenital pulmonic stenosis

Dynamic compression of the left main coronary artery during systole is extremely rare. We report a case of a 29-year old female who presented with shortness of breath and chest pain with exertion. She had a history of congenital pulmonic stenosis and had a pulmonary valve resection at age 2. She subsequently developed chronic pulmonic insufficiency. She had normal left ventricular systolic function and a dilated right ventricle with pressure and volume overload diagnosed by echocardiography. She had pulmonary artery hypertension with pulmonary artery pressures noted to be systolic of 62mmHg, diastolic of 10 mmHg, mean of 29 mmHg on right heart catheterization. Her echocardiogram also showed an elevated mean pulmonary artery pressure of 25 mmHg, which was thought to be due to increased flow. On left heart catheterization, she was found to have dynamic systolic compression of the left main coronary artery by a dilated pulmonary artery. This is the first case report of a patient with congenital pulmonic stenosis with a dilated pulmonary trunk causing systolic compression of the left main coronary artery. Dynamic systolic compression of the left main coronary artery is a rare cause of angina, is rarely reported, and requires a high level of suspicion and careful investigation for accurate diagnosis.     

Revascularization treatment recommendations based on atherosclerotic disease distribution: Coronary artery bypass grafting versus stenting

In patients with coronary artery disease, the need for more accurately defined treatment recommendations based on the distribution of atherosclerotic disease has given rise to multiple trials designed to evaluate the efficacy of medical therapy versus percutaneous coronary intervntion (PCI) or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). To clarify these treatment recommendations, we reviewed relevant trials. Patients with chronic stable angina who have one-vessel or two-vessel coronary artery disease without involvement of the left main or left anterior descending coronary arteries fare similarly regardless of treatment modality. In contrast, patients with multivessel disease and inducible ischemia are better served by revascularization by either CABG or PCI. In patients who have left main involvement, diffuse disease with severe atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, advanced age, or left ventricular dysfunction, the outcome with regard to survival, anginal relief, and freedom from additional intervention is better with CABG than with PCI.     

What is the evidence for percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass graft in ischemic cardiomyopathy?

Coronary artery disease has supplanted hypertension as the leading cause of congestive heart failure in the United States. The recognition that contraction abnormalities could accrue from gradual stunning, or longer-term 'hibernation,' raised the possibility that revascularization of viable but hypocontractile elements could improve myocardial performance. This review focuses on the data from randomized trials and registries regarding the potential benefits and risks of either coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or percutaneous coronary intervention for patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction secondary to coronary artery disease. For patients with medically refractory angina and ischemic cardiomyopathy, revascularization with CABG or percutaneous coronary intervention is recommended. The ongoing National Institutes of Health-sponsored Surgical Treatment for Ischemic Heart Failure (STICH) trial, a multicenter, prospective, randomized trial comparing contemporary medical therapy with CABG for patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy, should provide important information regarding patients who do not have angina. The conclusion of this review is that a trial of medical therapy vs. percutaneous coronary intervention could be of additional value, especially for patients at particularly high risk, when undergoing CABG.     

Extrinsic compression of the left main coronary artery by the pulmonary artery in patients with long-standing pulmonary hypertension

Left main coronary artery compression by the pulmonary artery may be seen in patients with pulmonary hypertension who are undergoing cardiac catheterization. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging is useful in these patients to document extrinsic compression, which might otherwise be mistaken for intrinsic atherosclerotic disease.     

Left main coronary artery compression by aneurysmal pulmonary artery in a patient with tetralogy of Fallot with absent pulmonary valve

We describe an 11-year-old girl with tetralogy of Fallot and absent pulmonary valve, who on selective coronary angiography was found to have extrinsic compression of the left main coronary artery by the aneurysmally dilated pulmonary artery. This abnormality has not been reported previously. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Intervent. 46:438–440, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Complete occlusion of the left main coronary artery: clinical and angiographic observations in five cases

Involvement of the left main coronary artery is observed in approximately 5 to 8% of patients with coronary artery lesions detected by coronary angiography, but occlusion of the left main artery is a very infrequent finding. Out of approximately 4000 patients undergoing coronary angiography, four men and one woman, 37 to 60 years old, showed total occlusion of this vessel. Four of them had angina pectoris and three had had a myocardial infarction. All five showed deep ST depression in V 2(or 3)-6 during bicycle exercise testing. Apart from the left main artery occlusion, all had significant obstructive lesions in other coronary vessels, including the right coronary artery or its major branches. There was collateral circulation from the right coronary artery in all patients. Left ventricular function was well preserved in three patients and markedly impaired in two. Four patients underwent bypass surgery and they have been followed for 10 to 28 months. Three are free of angina and one has only minimal angina. One patient refused surgery and he continued to have severe angina despite intense medical treatment. He died suddenly after 30 months follow-up. In patients with complete occlusion of the left main coronary artery, development of adequate collateral flow seems important in preserving left ventricular function, but collaterals are usually insufficient to prevent angina. Moreover, associated obstructive lesions in other coronary arteries constitute a potential threat to the collateral circulation. Effective symptomatic relief is obtained by coronary bypass grafting, and revascularization may also improve prognosis in this subset of patients with coronary heart disease.     

PCI和CABG治疗单纯左主干病变效果进展

随着基础医学、医疗设备、高新技术的进展和循证医学的广泛开展,血运重建技术已经取得了快速的进展。左主干病变可通过内科和外科手段实现心肌血运重建,缓解症状,改善预后和延长寿命。目前血运重建措施有经皮冠状动脉介入治疗(PCI)和冠状动脉旁路移植术(CABG)。但是对于更适当的治疗措施尚无定论。故本文就PCI和CABG在左主干病变患者的治疗效果做一综述。     

Long-term prognosis of patients with myocardial bridge and angiographic milking of the left anterior descending coronary artery

INTRODUCTION: Myocardial bridging with systolic compression (milking) of the left anterior descending coronary artery may be associated with myocardial ischemia. Little information is available about the long-term prognosis of patients with this coronary anomaly. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A review was made of coronary angiographies of patients diagnosed as ischemic heart disease made between 1994 and 1999 in two centers. The long-term follow-up of patients with myocardial bridging and systolic compression of the left anterior descending coronary artery was analyzed. Data were collected by reviewing medical records and completed by telephone interview. RESULTS: Prevalence: 0.72%. Milking was observed in 60 patients, but 25 of them were excluded due to associated hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, severe valvular disease, or coronary artery disease. The clinical follow-up was available for all patients (median: 43 months, range: 12-80 months). Mean age 55.7 years (SD = 11.9). Men 74%. Clinical presentation: angina 26 patients, atypical chest pain with positive non-invasive test 8, acute myocardial infarction 1. During follow-up, 1 patient died of sudden cardiac death. Seven patients continued to present stable angina CCS class I-II, coronary angiography was repeated in 5 patients, and one required percutaneous revascularization for symptoms. In 63% of cases, antianginal drugs were still needed at the end of follow-up period (beta-blockers or calcium antagonists). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with myocardial bridging and systolic compression of the left anterior descending artery have a good long-term prognosis, although more than half of them continue regular treatment with antianginal drugs. In a small percentage of cases percutaneous intervention must be performed and ischemic heart disease may appear in more aggressive forms (acute myocardial infarction or sudden death).     

Extrinsic compression of left main coronary artery from aneurysmal dilation of pulmonary trunk in a adolescent: involution after surgery occlusion of sinus venosus atrial septal defect and pulmonary trunk plasty for reduction

We report the case of an adolescent referred with initial diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension. Non-invasive investigation disclosed a sinus venous atrial septal defect with pulmonary hypertension. The hemodynamic study confirmed diagnosis, and also showed extrinsic compression of left main coronary artery by pulmonary trunk. Surgical closure of the defect in addition to pulmonary trunk plasty were undertaken. Two years after the surgery the patient is well, with clinical signs of mild pulmonary hypertension, and showing no evidence--also on echocardiogram--of left coronary artery trunk obstruction.     

Stenting of a left main coronary artery compressed by a dilated main pulmonary artery

Left main coronary artery (LMCA) disease caused by external compression by a dilated main pulmonary artery (MPA) is an uncommon clinical entity but is one of the reversible causes of chest pain in patients with pulmonary hypertension. Traditionally, treatment of LMCA disease involves coronary artery bypass graft surgery. However, for LMCA compression by a dilated MPA, coronary angioplasty with stenting has recently been reported to have good outcomes and might be more suitable in some patients with high risk associated with surgery. Herein, we describe a 54‐year‐old man with pulmonary arterial hypertension and external compression of the LMCA by the dilated main pulmonary artery that was treated with angiographic and intravascular ultrasound‐guided coronary angioplasty and stenting. Also we briefly review current literatures about LMCA compression by a dilated MPA. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.