A case of coronary stent thrombosis occurring repeatedly in the perioperative period

A 60-year-old man with angina was scheduled for total gastrectomy, splenectomy, and cholecystectomy. Bare-metal stents were implanted into his left anterior descending coronary artery four weeks before the operation. Aspirin and clopidogrel were administered until one week before the operation and then injection of to 15,000 units of heparin per day was given. Anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane, remifentanil and fentanyl. At 330 minutes after starting the operation, 2-mm ST segment elevation was observed and it recovered immediately. After the operation, new 9-mm ST segment elevation in leads V2-V6 was observed. Emergent cardiac catheterization showed occlusion of the coronary artery with in-stent thrombosis. An additional stent was implanted and 10,000 units of heparin per day was injected. After five days, new stent thrombosis occurred and an additional stent was implanted. Administration of aspirin, clopidogrel and cilostazol was started immediately. Anesthesiologists should pay attention to the kind of coronary stent, consider the timing of the operation, and continue administration of aspirin.