The Rescuing Role of Aggressive Thrombosuction in Elective Coronary Angioplasty

Thrombosuction plays a controversial role during primary percutaneous intervention (PCI). Landmark trials have demonstrated no additional role of thrombosuction during primary percutaneous intervention towards improving mortality and outcome during primary percutaneous intervention. We describe a rare elective coronary angioplasty where only aggressive thrombosuction (almost 150-200 mL) of blood from the coronary artery established the antegrade coronary flow and saved an octogenarian from impending sudden cardiac death (SCD). The present case describes the promising role of aggressive thrombosuction even during elective coronary intervention when a large dissection ends in acute total thrombotic occlusion of a coronary artery jeopardizing the antegrade coronary perfusion.