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Updated: Sep 4, 2026

Permanent Cerebral Vessel Occlusion via Double Ligature and Transection
Published on: July 21, 2013
[Vital recognition of complete occlusion of the left main coronary artery]
Insights
Left main coronary artery occlusion is rare but survivable, especially with good collateral circulation. This case highlights survival despite myocardial infarction in this critical condition.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Interventional Cardiology
- Clinical Case Reports
Background:
- Left main coronary artery (LMCA) occlusion is a rare but critical condition, occurring in approximately 0.05% of coronary arteriograms.
- Survival is typically poor, making cases of LMCA occlusion with myocardial infarction particularly noteworthy.
Observation:
- This case report details a patient with LMCA occlusion.
- The occlusion was associated with a dominant right coronary artery.
- Crucially, good collateral circulation was observed to the circumflex and left anterior descending coronary arteries.
Findings:
- The presence of a dominant right coronary artery and extensive collateralization was essential for patient survival.
- This patient survived a myocardial infarction despite the severe LMCA occlusion, representing a rare clinical outcome.
Implications:
- This case underscores the vital role of collateral circulation in mitigating the effects of acute LMCA occlusion.
- It suggests that even in severe coronary artery disease, survival is possible with favorable anatomical variants.
- Further research into the protective mechanisms of collateralization in LMCA disease is warranted.
Abstract:
Left main coronary artery occlusion is found in about 0.05% of all coronary arteriograms. In this case report left main occlusion was associated with a dominant right coronary artery and good collaterals to the circumflex and left anterior descending coronary arteries, which seems to be essential for survival in this lesion. Our case belongs to the minority of patients who have survived a myocardial infarction in the presence of left main occlusion.
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Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies

