Acute left circumflex coronary artery occlusion detected on nongated CT

Netanel S Berko1, Elana T Clark1, Jeffrey M Levsky1

  • 1Department of Radiology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, 111 East 210th Street, Bronx, NY 10467-2490.

Clinical Imaging
|June 14, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Computed tomographic aortography identified myocardial hypoperfusion and circumflex artery cutoff in a patient with chest pain. This imaging diagnosis guided prompt revascularization, highlighting CT

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Imaging
  • Interventional Cardiology

Background:

  • Electrocardiograms can be nondiagnostic in patients presenting with chest pain.
  • Accurate and timely diagnosis is crucial for managing acute coronary syndromes.

Observation:

  • A patient with chest pain and a nondiagnostic electrocardiogram underwent computed tomographic (CT) aortography.
  • CT aortography revealed myocardial hypoperfusion in the circumflex artery's territory.
  • An abrupt contrast cutoff in the left circumflex artery was visualized.

Findings:

  • CT aortography accurately identified a critical stenosis or occlusion of the circumflex artery.
  • Subsequent cardiac catheterization confirmed the circumflex artery occlusion.
  • The patient underwent successful revascularization.

Implications:

  • CT aortography can be a valuable tool for diagnosing acute myocardial infarction when other tests are equivocal.
  • Early diagnosis via CT can significantly alter clinical management and treatment strategies.
  • This case underscores the role of advanced imaging in guiding cardiovascular interventions.

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