Successful manual thrombus aspiration in anterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction due to cardioembolic obstruction of the left main coronary artery

Large clinical trials and meta-analyses have shown that thrombus aspiration (TA) in the setting of ST-T segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) does not improve clinical outcome, whilst it may be associated with an increased risk o...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of cardiology cases 2020-02, Vol.21 (2), p.46-49
Main Authors: Della Riva, Diego, Bruno, Matteo, Taglieri, Nevio
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cardioembolic ST-elevation myocardial infarction
Coronary artery disease
Thrombus aspiration
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Summary:Large clinical trials and meta-analyses have shown that thrombus aspiration (TA) in the setting of ST-T segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) does not improve clinical outcome, whilst it may be associated with an increased risk of stroke. Accordingly, in the most recent European Society of Cardiology guidelines the role of routine TA during PPCI has been downgraded to a class III recommendation with level A of evidence. On the other hand, it has been suggested that in case of high thrombus burden a selective use of TA may still play a role. STEMI due to cardioembolism (CE) definitely represents one of these situations. In the present case of an 81-year-old woman presenting with STEMI due to a cardioembolic obstruction of left main coronary artery, we show that TA succeeded, whereas classical angioplasty failed, in promoting a prompt coronary flow restoration in a life-threatening condition. Further, it allowed us not to upgrade the procedure with stent implantation that would have required a triple antithrombotic therapy, significantly increasing the bleeding risk. Visual examination of thrombi retrieved suggested the diagnosis of CE. Finally, we clearly show which is the mechanism linking TA with the risk of stroke.
ISSN:1878-5409
1878-5409
DOI:10.1016/j.jccase.2019.06.008