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Published on: May 28, 2019
Complete Revascularization of Simultaneous Multiple Culprit Lesions in a Septuagenarian with ST-Elevation Myocardial
Ikechukwu A Ifedili1, Tamunoinemi Bob-Manuel2, Oluwaseyi Bolorunduro1
1Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Tennesse Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA.
Insights
Simultaneous multiple coronary artery occlusions during ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) are rare. Complete revascularization in such cases is feasible and associated with good patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Interventional Cardiology
Background:
- ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) typically involves a single culprit artery.
- Simultaneous thrombotic occlusions in multiple coronary arteries during STEMI are uncommon and not well-defined in current guidelines.
Observation:
- A 74-year-old female presented with STEMI.
- Coronary angiography revealed simultaneous thrombotic occlusions in the right coronary, left circumflex, and ramus intermedius arteries.
- The patient underwent successful primary percutaneous coronary intervention in the same setting.
Findings:
- Multi-vessel percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is feasible for STEMI with multiple occlusions.
- Complete revascularization in this setting led to a good clinical outcome.
- The patient experienced a short hospital length of stay.
Implications:
- This case suggests that complete revascularization may be beneficial in STEMI with multiple culprit lesions.
- Further research is needed to define optimal timing for multi-vessel PCI in acute STEMI.
- Consideration of multi-vessel PCI in STEMI with multiple occlusions may improve patient outcomes.
Abstract:
BACKGROUND ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is usually caused by rupture of unstable plaque with thrombus formation and abrupt cessation of blood flow through a single coronary artery that is deemed the culprit. The simultaneous thrombotic occlusions of multiple coronary arteries in the setting of STEMI is a rare occurrence with implications for patient management and outcome not fully addressed in the current STEMI guidelines, although more recent studies suggest a benefit of complete revascularization compared to culprit vessel-only treatment in the setting of STEMI. CASE REPORT A 74-year-old female presented with STEMI. Coronary angiography revealed simultaneous multiple coronary thrombotic occlusions involving the right coronary, left circumflex, and ramus intermedius arteries successfully treated with primary percutaneous revascularization at the same setting with good outcome and short hospital length of stay. CONCLUSIONS Although the most appropriate timing to treat simultaneous multiple culprit lesions has yet to be definitively defined, multi-vessel percutaneous coronary intervention in the setting of a STEMI with multiple culprit lesions is feasible with good outcome as shown by our index case.
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