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Published on: August 18, 2015
Subacute myocardial rupture following tirofiban treatment
Ozgür Ciftçi1, Murat Günday2, Tonguç Saba2
1Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Baskent University, Ankara, Turkey.
Insights
This case report details a rare instance of tirofiban-induced ventricular free wall rupture following percutaneous coronary intervention. The patient
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Interventional Cardiology
- Cardiac Surgery
Background:
- Post-myocardial infarction (MI) angina necessitates prompt intervention.
- Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with stenting is a common treatment.
- Antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapies, including tirofiban, are crucial post-PCI.
Observation:
- The patient received standard medical treatment, including acetylsalicylic acid, clopidogrel, metoprolol, atorvastatin, enoxaparine, and a tirofiban infusion.
- Within 24 hours, the patient developed acute dyspnea, hypotension, and tachycardia, indicative of a serious complication.
Findings:
- Echocardiography confirmed a large pericardial effusion.
- Surgical exploration revealed ventricular free wall rupture, which was successfully repaired using a multi-layered Surgicel patch and tissue glue without cardiopulmonary bypass.
Implications:
- This case represents the first reported instance of tirofiban-induced ventricular free wall rupture.
- Clinicians should be vigilant for this rare but life-threatening complication in patients receiving tirofiban, particularly after percutaneous coronary interventions.
Abstract:
A 74-year-old male patient was admitted to our emergency department with post-MI angina. On account of the anginal complaint that continued for three days, a coronary artery angiography was undertaken. A percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty was performed, followed by the implantation of a coronary stent, and coronary perfusion (TIMI-3) was achieved in the left anterior descending artery. Medical treatment (with acetylsalicylic acid, clopidogrel, metoprolol, atorvastatin and enoxaparine) and tirofiban infusion were duly administered in the coronary care unit. After twenty-four hours, however, acute dyspne, hypotension and tachycardia developed, making it necessary to perform an echocardiography. Since the echocardiography revealed a frank pericardial effusion, the patient was immediately taken to the operation room. The ventricular free wall rupture was repaired with Surgicel, which was prepared in three layers and fixed to the myocardium by tissue glue; cardiopulmonary bypass was not used. To our knowledge, our study constitutes the first case report of a tirofiban-induced free wall rupture.
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