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Updated: Aug 21, 2026

Novel and Innovative Hybrid Technique for Type A Aortic Dissection
Published on: March 28, 2025
Acute coronary syndrome following repair of aortic dissection
J Andreas Hoschtitzky1, Louise Crawford, Mick Brack
1Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Cardiothoracic Unit, Victoria Hospital, Whinney Heys Road, Blackpool FY3 8NR, UK. ahoschtitzky@aol.com
Insights
A rare cardiac event occurred days after type A aortic dissection repair. Emergency angioplasty and stenting successfully treated acute left anterior descending artery occlusion caused by a possible glue fragment embolus.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Vascular Surgery
Background:
- Cardiac complications are common in patients with type A aortic dissections, both preoperatively and during surgical repair.
- However, cardiac events occurring several days after a routine recovery period are infrequent.
Observation:
- This report details a rare case of a patient experiencing acute occlusion of the left anterior descending artery.
- The occlusion occurred by a thrombus four days after undergoing surgical repair for type A aortic dissection.
Findings:
- The patient's acute left anterior descending artery occlusion was successfully treated with emergency angioplasty and stenting.
- A potential cause identified for the thrombus formation was the embolization of a surgical glue fragment.
Implications:
- This case highlights a rare but serious post-operative complication following type A aortic dissection repair.
- It underscores the importance of considering unusual causes like glue embolization in delayed cardiac events and the efficacy of prompt intervention with angioplasty and stenting.
Abstract:
Cardiac complications associated with type A aortic dissections are relatively common before and during the surgical repair. A cardiac event occurring a few days after routine recovery is rare though. We describe a case of acute occlusion of the left anterior descending artery by thrombus, 4 days after surgical repair, salvaged by emergency angioplasty and stenting. A possible explanation for the thrombus includes embolisation of a fragment of glue.
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