Recurrent Chest Pain Due to a Huge Left Main Aneurysm: A Case Report
Erfan Kazemi1, Hossein Sheibani2
1Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran.
Insights
A rare case of a huge left main coronary artery aneurysm was found in an 87-year-old man. Medical management with vasodilators and antiplatelet agents relieved his chest pain.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Vascular Medicine
Background:
- Coronary artery aneurysms (CAAs) are uncommon vascular abnormalities.
- Aneurysms specifically affecting the left main coronary artery are exceptionally rare.
Observation:
- An 87-year-old male presented with atypical chest pain.
- Electrocardiography revealed a right bundle branch block and inferior ST-segment elevation.
- Coronary angiography identified a large left main coronary artery aneurysm without thrombus.
Findings:
- Atherosclerosis is identified as the primary etiology for CAAs.
- The patient's chest pain resolved following treatment with nitroglycerin, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, aspirin, and clopidogrel.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering rare coronary artery pathologies in elderly patients with atypical chest pain.
- Successful medical management of a left main coronary artery aneurysm suggests a potential non-surgical therapeutic approach in select cases.
Abstract:
Coronary artery aneurysms (CAAs) are rare, and aneurysms of the left main coronary artery are extremely rare. Atherosclerosis is the main cause of CAAs. An 87-year-old man with atypical chest pain of 1 month's duration presented to a hospital. Physical examinations of the patient's cardiopulmonary system and vital signs were unremarkable. Electrocardiography showed a right bundle branch block and an atypical ST-segment elevation in the inferior leads. Coronary angiography demonstrated a huge aneurysm in the left main without any clots. Additionally, there were no remarkable findings in cardiac monitoring and spiral chest computed tomography scanning. Ultimately, after he received nitroglycerin, β-blockers, Ca++ channel blockers, Aspirin (ASA), and clopidogrel (Plavix), his pain was relieved.
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