Total proximal left main and right coronary artery occlusion with survival

A case of myocardial infarction due to acute left main coronary artery occlusion presenting with peculiar electrocardiographic changes

Myocardial infarction (MI) due to acute obstruction of the left main coronary artery (LMCA) occlusion is a medical emergency, requiring early and prompt diagnosis and revascularization, and unless it is treated, it will frequently result in cardiogenic shock, which has a high fatality rate. Our case focused on a patient, who was transferred to our hospital relatively late due to peculiar ECG. He had acute MI, and was in cardiogenic shock. ECG is the easiest diagnostic method in the early diagnosis of the acute coronary syndromes and in deciding on the early invasive intervention in the high risk group. Before he was sent to us, the patient had an ECG showing right bundle branch block (RBBB) and a AVR ST segment elevation. At the time of the urgent coronary angiography, it was noticed that the LMCA was totally occluded. This case has been presented in order to emphasize that peculiar changes might bring about devastating consequences as in our rare case, showing acute left main coronary artery occlusion, and ST segment elevation only in the AVR on the 12-lead ECG along with upward deflection of ST segment vector might be critical for accurate diagnosis.

Chronic/subacute total occlusion of the left main coronary artery--a case report and review of literature

Total occlusion of the left main coronary artery is rare. Acute occlusion is invariably fatal; however, survival is possible if the patient reaches the hospital in time. Patients usually present with acute myocardial infarction, cardiogenic shock, and sudden cardiac death. Chronic total occlusion presents with angina, myocardial infarction, or congestive heart failure. The authors describe complete occlusion of the left main coronary artery in a patient who presented with recent-onset angina. They review the clinical and angiographic features of 60 cases described in the literature.

[Chronic total occlusion of the left main coronary artery]

Total chronic occlusion of the left main coronary artery is a rare angiographic finding in a catheterization laboratory. After reviewing the coronary angiographies performed in our laboratory between 1986 to 1995, we found a prevalence of 0.04%. These patients presented unspecific symptoms similar to other kinds of coronary artery disease. In all cases, the right coronary artery was dominant with extensive collateral circulation to the left coronary artery. Ventricular function was normal in 50% of the cases. Probably, in these unusual cases, the best therapeutic approach is surgical revascularization.

Total occlusion of the left main and proximal right coronary artery: case report and review of the literature

Chronic total left main coronary artery occlusion at angiography is very rare, and there are only four cases reported with concomitant total right coronary artery occlusion. We describe a case of total left main and proximal right coronary artery occlusion and review the clinical and angiographic characteristics of this condition which represents the most severe from of coronary artery disease compatible with life.

Total obstruction of the left main coronary artery

A rare and often fatal condition, total obstruction of the left main coronary artery has been treated with increasing success in both acute and chronic clinical settings. Seventeen patients with acute occlusion have been reported in the literature. All were discovered at the time of acute periinfarction catheterization and were treated aggressively with intracoronary thrombolysis, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, emergency bypass surgery, or a combination of techniques. Chronic total occlusion of the left main coronary artery has been reported in 59 patients, including 3 at our institution. These patients present with chronic but increasingly severe angina. A right dominant coronary anatomy is always found, usually with well-developed right-to-left collaterals. The results of surgical revascularization in our 3 patients and in 45 others described in the literature support the safety and efficacy of this approach.