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Coronary artery spasm following aortic valve replacement
Teresa Pinho1, Jorge Almeida, Mota Garcia
1Department of Cardiology and Centre of Cardiothoracic Surgery, S. João Hospital, Porto, Portugal.
Interactive Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery
|August 3, 2007
Summary
A 62-year-old woman experienced coronary artery spasm after aortic valve replacement surgery. The spasm was caused by compression from a chest drain tube, leading to hemodynamic instability.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiac Surgery
- Vascular Medicine
Background:
- Aortic regurgitation necessitates surgical intervention, often aortic valve replacement.
- Postoperative complications in cardiac surgery require vigilant monitoring and prompt management.
Observation:
- A patient developed severe hemodynamic and electrical instability upon admission to the intensive care unit (ICU).
- Emergent coronary angiography was performed to investigate the cause of instability.
Findings:
- The coronary angiography revealed significant spasm in the distal right coronary artery.
- The spasm was directly attributed to external compression by a chest drain tube.
Implications:
- This case highlights a rare but critical complication of chest drain placement post-cardiac surgery.
- Awareness of mechanical compression as a cause of coronary artery spasm is crucial for preventing adverse outcomes.
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