Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 15, 2025
Mouse Heterotopic Cervical Cardiac Transplantation Utilizing Vascular Cuffs
Published on: June 23, 2022
Long-Term Surveillance of Coronary Artery Dissection in an Orthotopic Heart Transplant Recipient
Taha Ahmed1, Samra Haroon Lodhi2, Ahmad Al-Abdouh2
1Gill Heart & Vascular Institute, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA. Electronic address: https://twitter.com/TahaAhmedMD.
Insights
A heart transplant patient experienced chest pain after trauma, revealing a coronary artery dissection. Conservative management led to a favorable outcome, though the dissection persisted long-term.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Transplantation Medicine
- Trauma Surgery
Background:
- Orthotopic heart transplantation is a life-saving procedure for end-stage heart failure.
- Post-transplant complications require vigilant monitoring and management.
- Blunt chest trauma can precipitate cardiac events, even in transplant recipients.
Observation:
- A heart transplant recipient presented with chest pain 3 weeks after blunt chest trauma.
- Electrocardiogram revealed anterior ST-segment elevation, suggesting myocardial injury.
- Coronary angiography identified a dissection in the mid-distal left anterior descending artery.
Findings:
- The coronary artery dissection was managed conservatively, preserving antegrade blood flow.
- The patient achieved a favorable long-term clinical outcome.
- Coronary angiography at 1 and 2 years demonstrated persistent dissection.
Implications:
- Coronary artery dissection following trauma in heart transplant recipients can be managed conservatively.
- Persistent coronary dissection may not preclude favorable long-term outcomes.
- This case highlights the importance of considering iatrogenic or traumatic vascular injury in post-transplant patients.
Abstract:
We describe a case of an orthotopic heart transplant recipient who presented with chest pain related to blunt chest trauma 3 weeks post-transplantation. Electrocardiogram showed anterior ST-segment elevation. Coronary angiography revealed a dissection of the mid-distal left anterior descending artery with preserved antegrade flow. Conservative management of the coronary artery dissection was pursued. While the patient had a favorable long-term clinical outcome, the coronary dissection persisted on 1- and 2-year follow-up coronary angiography.
