Dual Coronary Artery Thrombosis: An Unforeseen Angiographic Encounter

Ammar Farook1, Mohammed S Abdelghani1, Omar S Makawi1

  • 1Cardiology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, QAT.

Cureus
|September 13, 2024
PubMed

Insights

This case study details a rare instance of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) involving simultaneous multi-vessel coronary artery thrombosis. The patient developed severe complications, including cardiogenic shock and sepsis, highlighting the complexity of managing such critical cardiovascular events.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Interventional Cardiology
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) typically affects a single coronary artery.
  • Simultaneous multi-vessel coronary artery thrombosis is an uncommon and complex clinical presentation.

Observation:

  • A 42-year-old male presented with chest pain and inferior ST-elevation on ECG, indicative of AMI.
  • Initial percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) revealed occlusions in the left anterior descending (LAD) and right coronary artery (RCA).
  • The patient experienced refractory cardiogenic shock (CS), requiring relook angiography, intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) insertion, and management of sepsis and arrhythmias.

Findings:

  • Successful stent deployment restored coronary blood flow (TIMI III).
  • Recurrent CS, septic shock from Fusobacterium periodonticum bacteremia, acute kidney injury, supraventricular arrhythmias (SVTs), and radial artery thrombosis with gangrene complicated the patient's course.
  • The patient was discharged on warfarin for radial artery thrombosis and atrial fibrillation.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the challenges in diagnosing and managing rare multi-vessel coronary thrombosis and its associated complications.
  • Aggressive management strategies are crucial for patients presenting with complex AMI.
  • Multidisciplinary care involving cardiology, critical care, and vascular surgery is essential for optimizing outcomes in severe cases.

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