Spontaneous Late Thrombolysis of an Occluded Saphenous Vein Graft Subsequent to Acute Myocardial Infarction Treated with Percutaneous Coronary Intervention to the Native Culprit Vessel

Successful Revascularization of an LCx CTO Lesion by Retrograde Approach From an Acute Thrombotic SVG Without Protection Device in an ACS Patient

We describe a patient who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery with the presentation of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The diagnostic coronary angiogram showed acute thrombotic and occluded saphenous vein graft (SVG) and proximal right coronary artery (RCA) drug eluting stent (DES) instent restenosis (ISR) with chronic total occlusion (CTO). Our strategy was to recanalize the native left circumflex coronary artery (LCx) CTO instead of SVG or RCA instent CTO. After heparinization for 5 days, the LCx antegrade approach and the retrograde approach from left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) septal branches were first attempted but failed, and the LCx CTO was successfully revascularized retrogradely via the acute thrombotic SVG without an embolic protection device (EPD).

Use of Microvena Snare Catheter in Non-ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction Due to Saphenous Vein Graft Occlusive Thrombi

Percutaneous coronary intervention of grafts vessel is more challenging due to a higher incidence of periprocedural distal micro-emobilization and myocardial infarction. Percutaneous coronary intervention current guidelines advocate usage of distal embolic protection devices, especially in patients with a large thrombus burden, undergoing percutaneous intervention for vein graft disease. We present a 75-year-old man with acute coronary syndrome who had saphenous vein graft thrombus. This patient was treated successfully by manual aspiration of graft thrombus using a microvena catheter. There is yet no best available therapeutic options for patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention of saphenous vein graft lesions.

Spontaneous recanalization of a completely occluded saphenous vein graft two months following acute myocardial infarction with persistent one year patency

Acute myocardial infarction resulting from saphenous vein graft occlusion occurs not infrequently in patients who have undergone coronary artery bypass graft surgery. In this case report, we present a novel case of spontaneous recanalization of a thrombotic graft occlusion in a patient who presented with a subacute myocardial infarction. The patient was treated medically with aspirin as the only anti-platelet agent. Interestingly, he presented 2 months later with new onset angina. Coronary angiography demonstrated complete resolution of thrombus but a severe focal stenosis in the distal anastomoses. Following drug eluting stent placement, a favorable clinical course has ensued and patency confirmed on follow up angiography at 1 year.