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Updated: Sep 12, 2025

Primary Outcome Assessment in a Pig Model of Acute Myocardial Infarction
Published on: October 14, 2016
Multimodal Image in a Coronary Embolism-Induced Acute Myocardial Infarction in a Mechanical Aortic Valve Recipient
Ying Zhang1, Lei Feng1, Han Xu1
1Department of Cardiology, Cardiometabolic Medicine Center, Fuwai Hospital, National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
Background:
Coronary embolism is an uncommon etiology of acute myocardial infarction, particularly in patients with mechanical heart valves.
Case:
A 47-year-old woman with mechanical aortic valve replacement presented with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction after temporary warfarin interruption. Computed tomography angiography and coronary angiography revealed a mobile thrombus in the mid-left anterior descending artery, which was confirmed as embolic origin by intravascular ultrasound.
Management:
Initial thrombus aspiration yielded suboptimal results. Subsequent balloon angioplasty was performed, achieving TIMI flow grade 3 restoration. Anticoagulation therapy with warfarin was reinitiated for long-term management.
Conclusions:
This case highlights the critical role of intravascular imaging in diagnosing embolic acute myocardial infarction and the efficacy of mechanical thrombus modification when thrombus aspiration alone is inadequate.
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