Project description:BackgroundMyocardial infarction on non-occluded coronary artery represents a very specific subset of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Coronary subclavian steal syndrome (CSSS) is defined by a left subclavian artery stenosis in case of (i) left internal mammary artery (LIMA) used to bypass left anterior descending artery (LAD) and (ii) >75% stenosis of the left subclavian artery prior to the origin of the LIMA to LAD graft. Here we report the case of a CSSS causing ACS.Case summaryA 71-year-old man with history of LIMA to LAD coronary artery bypass surgery was admitted to the nephrology intensive care unit for acute kidney injury requiring dialysis. Due to rapid deterioration, altered left ventricular ejection fraction and elevated c-troponin levels, an urgent coronary angiography was performed. It revealed a subtotal occlusion of the left subclavian artery prior to the origin of the LIMA to LAD graft. This was responsible for a severely altered coronary flow in the LIMA and LAD. Revascularization of the proximal left subclavian artery with a stent was performed, enabling instant recovery of distal coronary flows.DiscussionACS due to CSSS in this report highlights the complexity of the cardio-renal interaction. Patients with coronary artery bypass graft and chronic kidney disease commonly exhibit a higher risk for severe progression of atherosclerosis at multiple sites. CSSS treatments include secondary prevention measures and revascularization (if indicated) such as an endovascular approach.
Project description:RATIONALE:Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) combined with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is rarely reported. PATIENT CONCERNS:One male patient with APS was admitted to our hospital, who had recent unstable angina (UA). DIAGNOSIS:The preliminary diagnosis of ACS and UA (BraunwaldiB) was then made. INTERVENTIONS:This patient received secondary preventative therapy for coronary heart disease (CHD) in combination with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and implantation of NeoVas Bioresorbable Coronary Scaffold. OUTCOMES:The patient was followed up, without new UA episodes were observed at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 year after surgery, respectively. LESSONS:It was thus concluded that percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is effective for APS patients and NeoVas scaffold implantation is presumed safe.
Project description:We report a case of Kounis syndrome that led to shock after protamine administration during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). A man in his 50s was admitted to the nearest hospital following the onset of acute myocardial infarction. Coronary angiography showed a single-vessel lesion in the left anterior descending artery (LAD). He was admitted for PCI. After heparin administration, the procedure was completed by implantation of a coronary stent with the usual procedure. For hemostasis, following protamine administration, the patient went into shock. Subsequently, electrocardiography showed bradycardia with ST-segment elevation at leads II, III, aVF, and V3-6. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was started immediately. As pulseless electrical activity continued, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) was introduced. Coronary angiography demonstrated coronary spasm in the LAD. He was withdrawn from the ECMO on day 7. His intradermal tests were positive for protamine in the convalescent phase. The patient was diagnosed with protamine shock and type I Kounis syndrome. Protamine shock is not uncommon, but Kounis syndrome may be hidden in it. Thus, similar cases should not be treated as a simple protamine shock. <Learning objective: This case report aimed to determine 1) the mechanism of protamine shock and its risk factors, and 2) the pathogenesis and type of Kounis syndrome in a patient who developed protamine shock, and 3) the significance of ST-elevation during anaphylactic shock.>.
Project description:Congenital single coronary artery is commonly associated with complex congenital heart diseases and manifests in infancy or childhood. But isolated single coronary artery is a rare congenital anomaly which can present as acute coronary syndrome in adults. The aim of the work is to discuss on isolated single coronary artery in two adults presenting as acute coronary syndrome. The first case underwent coronary angiography (CAG) through right radial route, but switched over to femoral for confirmation of diagnosis and due to radial spasm. An aortic root angiogram was done to rule out presence of any other coronary ostia. It revealed a single coronary artery originating from right sinus of valsalva. After giving rise to posterior descending artery branch at crux, it continued in the atrioventricular groove to the anterior basal surface of the heart and traversed as anterior descending artery. There was no atheromatous occlusive stenosis. This is R-I type single coronary artery as per Lipton classification. In the second case, angiography was completed through right radial route. It revealed a single coronary artery arising from right aortic sinus. Anterior descending and circumflex branch were originating from proximal common trunk of the single coronary artery and supplying the left side of the heart. The right coronary artery has diffuse atheromatous disease without significant stenosis in any major branch. This is R-III C type as per Lipton classification. A coronary anomaly of both origin and course is very rare. It may be encountered in adults evaluated for atherosclerotic coronary heart disease. Knowledge and understanding of anatomical types of this congenital anomaly will reduce time, anxiety, complications during CAG and cardiac surgery.
Project description:The paramedics brought a 60-year-old man to the emergency department after a sudden onset of shortness of breath with a subsequent drop in the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). On arrival the patient looked peri-arrest. His O2 saturations were 84% on 15?L of oxygen. He had gasping breathing with a completely silent chest and the GCS was 6/15 (E=1, V=1, M=4). The blood gas revealed type-2 respiratory failure. The chest X-ray was unremarkable and ECG was not indicative for cardiac catheterisation lab activation. Bedside shock scan was done which showed global hypokinesia of the left ventricle. In spite of unconvincing ECG and chest X-ray, an acute cardiac event was diagnosed in view of an abnormal bedside echo. The patient was transferred to the cardiac catheterisation lab for urgent percutaneous coronary intervention which revealed critical stenosis of the left main stem coronary artery, which was successfully stented. The patient had a good recovery from the life-threatening event.
Project description:Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) can be provoked by various triggers. It should be differentiated from acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Herein, we report a case of TC triggered by ACS. An 80-year-old woman was referred to the emergency room because of prolonged chest pain and ST-segment elevations. Echocardiography demonstrated left ventricular apical ballooning, findings suggestive of TC rather than ACS. Emergency coronary angiography revealed severe stenosis of the first diagonal branch of the left anterior descending coronary artery with distal flow delay. Recanalization of the diagonal branch was achieved by stent implantation and her chest pain was resolved. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging showed increased signal intensities in the apex and the inner layer of the anterior wall on fat-suppressed, T2-weighted imaging. The present case highlights the importance of recognizing TC in relation to ACS not only as a differential diagnosis but also as a possibly concomitant condition unless clinical features fit one diagnosis.Learning objectiveTakotsubo cardiomyopathy can be provoked by various conditions and differentiated from acute coronary syndrome based on the presence or absence of coronary artery stenosis. Our case highlights the importance of acknowledging that takotsubo cardiomyopathy may be induced by acute coronary syndrome.
Project description:BackgroundLeft main coronary artery (LMCA)-acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a rare complication of a floating thrombus in the ascending aorta. However, diagnosing the aetiology of LMCA-ACS during an emergency situation is challenging. We present a rare case of LMCA-ACS caused by a large thrombus in the ascending aorta, confirmed by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS).Case summaryA 90-year-old woman presented to the emergency department complaining of chest pain and syncope. On admission, her electrocardiogram showed normal sinus rhythm and a complete right bundle branch block with significant ST depression in the V3-V6 leads; hence, ACS was suspected. The first emergency angiogram of the left coronary artery showed filling defect in the proximal ascending aorta. IVUS revealed a large thrombus in the ascending aorta. The thrombus extended from the ascending aorta to the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery. IVUS confirmed that there was no dissection of the coronary artery or the proximal ascending aorta. Based on the IVUS findings, this case was diagnosed as ACS of the LMCA caused by a floating thrombus in the ascending aorta.DiscussionThis rare case of LMCA-ACS caused by a thrombus in the ascending aorta was confirmed by IVUS, which can be a useful imaging tool for diagnosing morphological abnormalities during emergencies.
Project description:BackgroundCoronary artery fistulae are rare vascular anomalies. Although they are usually asymptomatic, the presence of symptoms might present a challenge in the diagnostic and therapeutic management.Case summaryWe present a patient with chest pain whose initial tests were normal, but coronary artery fistulae were found. Single-photon emission computed tomography test showed ischaemia due to coronary artery fistulae and cardiac computed tomography helped in the planning of the percutaneous closure.DiscussionCCT is emerging as an optimal non-invasive tool to characterise the morphology and course of coronary artery fistulae and may be essential for its accurate diagnosis and planning for percutaneous closure.
Project description:BackgroundTracheobronchial foreign body aspiration is a potentially risky medical event, while the condition often requires early detection and rapid intervention to improve respiratory symptoms and prevent major morbidity. Notably, foreign bodies may not be identified and they are likely to be mistaken for neoplastic lesions. However, CEA, as one of tumor markers, presents to be available for assisting in lung cancer diagnosis, especially for non-small-cell lung cancer, while the specificity of CEA is not high.MethodsHere, we described a case of bronchial opening obstruction with elevated carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) that was firstly misdiagnosed as lung cancer and proved as foreign body aspiration in the upper lobe bronchus of right lung by bronchoscopy.ResultsCarcinoembryonic antigen level increased. CT scan demonstrated a cavitation accompanied by multiple small nodular shadows appeared in the right upper lobe field. Bronchoscopy suggested right upper lobe bronchus was blocked by a brown smooth organism with plenty of purulent materials, which was proved as a rotten vegetable leaf.ConclusionsElevated CEA and bronchial obstruction are not typical manifestations of lung cancer. Bronchoscopy is crucial for making a reliable diagnosis.
Project description:BackgroundExtrinsic coronary compression is an extremely rare complication of aortic root abscess formation and can manifest as an acute coronary syndrome in infective endocarditis. Optimal management strategies are unknown and therefore illustrative case reports may be informative.Case summaryWe describe a 63-year-old man with a background history of a mechanical aortic valve who developed sepsis due to Escherichia coli bacteraemia from a presumed urinary source. He suddenly deteriorated with cardiogenic shock and anterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction on Day 16 and received emergency percutaneous coronary intervention for severe stenoses of left anterior descending and diagonal arteries. A transoesophageal echocardiogram 2 days later demonstrated a large aortic root abscess. He was transferred for emergency surgery which revealed a large aortic abscess surrounding the left main stem confirming extrinsic coronary compression. He received a redo tissue aortic valve replacement and repair of his abscess cavity.DiscussionWe describe a case where percutaneous coronary intervention and emergency surgery was used to treat extrinsic compression from an aortic root abscess; a complication that is associated with a high mortality. This is also a rare case of E. coli causing prosthetic valve endocarditis. We also explore the findings of 11 previous cases of extrinsic coronary compression from aortic root abscess.