Successful management of a giant unruptured mycotic coronary artery aneurysm after coronary angioplasty

Ruptured mycotic coronary artery aneurysm

Aneurysms complicated by rupture of the coronary arteries are exceedingly rare. Literature regarding management of mycotic aneurysms resulting in rupture is limited. Therefore, we describe a fascinating diagnosis, imaging progression and management of a ruptured mycotic coronary artery aneurysm.

Coronary stent infection: a systematic review

Coronary stent infection (CSI) is the rarest complication associated with the percutaneous coronary intervention, occurring in less than 0.1% of cases. So far, all reported instances are limited to case reports. CSI presents itself in various, often confusing, ways in clinical settings. Therefore, the current systematic review summarizes reports of CSI's clinical presentations, causative pathogens, diagnoses and treatments. This systematic review considered three online databases, using reference lists as an additional source. All case reports or case series with stent infection in the coronary artery were included - however, reviews or commentaries, articles not published in English, and articles mentioning a history of hemodialysis or any surgery were excluded. Thirty-two studies on 34 CSI patients were included in the final qualitative analysis. CSI predominantly affected males of a wide range of ages. The most common symptoms were chest pain and fever with various onsets. Interestingly, CSI usually occurred during the first stent implantation. Cultures and coronary angiography were the most common methods used to diagnose CSI. Furthermore, drug-eluting stents had a higher risk of infection than bare-metal stents. Aneurysms were the most frequent abnormalities observed in infected stents. The bacteria that most often caused CSI were Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeroginosa. More than 90% of the reports mentioned using various antibiotics, and 74% mentioned carrying out surgery. Finally, a mortality rate of 26.47% among CSI patients was calculated.

Management of a Mycotic Right Coronary Artery Aneurysm With Contained Rupture

Infected coronary artery aneurysm is a rare complication of bacteremia with significant risk of mortality. We describe a case where contained rupture had caused purulent pericarditis and an alternative surgical approach to management was required as aortocoronary bypass grafting was unfeasible. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.)

Mycotic and non-mycotic coronary artery aneurysms—A review of the rarity

Sir William Osler coined the term “mycotic” to identify aneurysms secondary to an infectious cause, which may not be necessarily fungal and are caused mainly by bacteria. The literature’s reported incidence of coronary artery aneurysms (CAA) is from 1.5-5%. The right coronary artery (RCA) is mainly involved, followed by the left side coronary circulation. Mycotic aneurysms are more commonly associated with infective endocarditis. More recently, coronary artery stents, particularly drug-eluting stents, are typically causing mycotic coronary aneurysms. CT angiography (CTA) has been the forefront diagnostic modality, showing both the lumen and wall of the coronary arteries. It also aids in preoperative planning. MRI is useful in diagnosing and following children with Kawasaki’s disease. Smaller mycotic coronary aneurysms may resolve with antibiotic therapy; however, aneurysms more significant than 1-2 cm diameter needs corrective surgery. Early diagnosis and appropriate management are the critical factors in the successful treatment of infective coronary artery aneurysms.

Ruptured giant left anterior descending coronary artery pseudoaneurysm

We report a rare case of a ruptured giant left anterior descending coronary artery pseudoaneurysm that necessitated salvage operative repair. This case affirms the life-threatening nature of this clinically significant pathology, as well as the need for emergent repair before pseudoaneurysm rupture to maximize the likelihood of patient survival.