Catastrophic left main coronary artery occlusion following diagnostic coronary angiography: Salvage by emergency left main coronary artery stenting

Abstract

Acute occlusion of left main coronary artery after diagnostic angiography can be rapidly fatal. We describe two patients with left main disease that developed cardiac arrest shortly after diagnostic coronary angiography. They were both successfully treated with emergency left main stenting while cardiopulmonary resuscitation was being performed. Patients with left main disease should be carefully monitored after diagnostic angiography to allow prompt recognition of acute occlusion. Emergency stenting may be required for salvaging the patients.

Keywords::

• Left main coronary artery
• coronary angiography
• stents
• complications

Declaration of interest: Dr Abdel-karim: None. Mr Gadiparthi: None. Dr Banerjee: Speaker honoraria from St Jude Medical, Johnson & Johnson, and Medtronic and research support from Boston Scientific, Harris Methodist Foundation, VA merit, and NIH. Dr Brilakis: Speaker honoraria from St Jude Medical and Terumo, research support from Abbott Vascular and Infraredx, and salary support from Medtronic (spouse).