SPIRAL DISSECTION OF THE LEFT CORONARY ARTERY AS A RARE AND SERIOUS COMPLICATION OF CORONARY ANGIOGRAPHY: A CASE REPORT
SPIRAL DISSECTION OF THE LEFT CORONARY ARTERY AS A RARE AND SERIOUS COMPLICATION OF CORONARY ANGIOGRAPHY: A CASE REPORT

Summary/Abstract: Background: Iatrogenic spiral dissection of the coronary artery is a rare but serious complication of coronary angiography (CA). CA is a commonly used standard imaging method that is considered safe. Aim of the study: To demonstrate a rare complication of CA that significantly changed the patients’ outcome. Material and methods: A retrospective review of the procedure and patient follow-up was undertaken. Case report: A 56-year-old female with type two atrial septal defects complicated by heart failure (HF), complaining of gradual HF worsening and two episodes of syncope, was admitted for preoperative assessment. Before cardiac surgery, an elective CA revealed no coronary artery stenoses. However, the procedure was complicated by spiral dissection of the left main coronary artery continuing towards the left anterior descending artery. Immediate percutaneous coronary angioplasty was performed, with a good acute angiographic and clinical result. Subsequently, the patient developed a periprocedural inferolateral myocardial infarction and cardiac arrest due to pulseless electrical activity. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was ineffective. Conclusions: The take-home message of the case presented is that even a relatively safe procedure can be complicated and that less invasive imaging modalities should be considered before CA.

• Details
• Contents