Hemodynamic findings of spontaneously recanalized coronary thrombus
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Updated: May 20, 2026
A Thrombotic Stroke Model Based On Transient Cerebral Hypoxia-ischemia
Published on: August 18, 2015
Jeffery Cook1, Abhishek Deshmukh, Rajesh Sachdeva
1Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little Rock, AR, USA.
Insights
This case study details a patient experiencing non-ST elevation myocardial infarction. The cause was a recanalized thrombus in a coronary artery, confirmed by fractional flow reserve.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Interventional Cardiology
Background:
- Non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) is a common presentation of acute coronary syndrome.
- Coronary artery thrombus formation is a primary driver of myocardial infarction.
Observation:
- A patient presented with NSTEMI.
- Coronary angiography revealed a linear opacity in a coronary artery, not flow-limiting.
- Fractional flow reserve (FFR) measurements indicated ischemia.
Findings:
- The linear opacity was identified as a recanalized organized thrombus.
- The thrombus, despite not being flow-limiting on initial assessment, was the cause of ischemic FFR values.
Implications:
- This case highlights that even non-flow-limiting coronary artery lesions can cause myocardial infarction.
- Recanalized thrombi should be considered in the differential diagnosis of NSTEMI with non-obstructive coronary findings.
- FFR is crucial in assessing the functional significance of coronary artery abnormalities.
Abstract:
This case presented is a patient with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction with angiographic non-flow limiting linear opacity in coronary artery with fractional flow reserve in ischemic range secondary to recanalized organized thrombus.
