Left Ventricular Failure Despite Patent Coronary Arteries in Acute Type A Aortic Dissection

Severe myocardial failure after acute type A aortic dissection is usually attributed to structural coronary malperfusion. We report catastrophic global left ventricular failure despite preserved epicardial coronary anatomy, successfully bridged with durable mechanical circulatory support. A 57-year-old man presented with acute type A dissection and cardiogenic shock with extensive precordial ST-segment elevation. Emergency total arch replacement with a frozen elephant trunk was performed. Intraoperative inspection and postoperative coronary angiography confirmed patent coronary ostia and arteries. Postoperatively, venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and a percutaneous microaxial flow pump was instituted; extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was weaned on day 4, but the patient remained pump-dependent. Perfusion imaging showed extensive fixed defects in the left coronary distribution, and durable left ventricular assist device implantation was required 6 weeks later. Severe myocardial injury can occur in acute type A aortic dissection without demonstrable fixed coronary obstruction. When dysfunction persists after successful repair, early viability assessment is essential to guide timely transition to durable mechanical circulatory support.