An uncommon presentation of acute type A aortic dissection: left main coronary artery obstruction

J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown). 2012 Jan;13(1):53-5. doi: 10.2459/JCM.0b013e328348c390.

Abstract

Acute aortic dissection presents with a wide range of manifestations. Sometimes an acute coronary syndrome is diagnosed instead of aortic dissection leading to inappropriate treatment. We describe a case of acute aortic dissection with the uncommon involvement of the left main coronary artery. A 64-year-old man was referred to our hospital for primary coronary intervention because ECG demonstrated ST elevation in the aVR lead with diffuse ST-segment depression. Coronary angiography was performed to treat the culprit lesion but the left main coronary artery could not be catheterized. Aortography and transesophageal echocardiography confirmed Stanford type A aortic dissection. The patient died of cardiac arrest in spite of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. This case also illustrates how Stanford type A aortic dissection can present with left main coronary artery obstruction.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Aortic Diseases / complications*
  • Aortic Diseases / diagnosis
  • Aortic Dissection / complications*
  • Aortic Dissection / diagnosis
  • Aortography
  • Coronary Angiography
  • Coronary Artery Disease / diagnosis
  • Coronary Artery Disease / etiology*
  • Echocardiography, Transesophageal
  • Electrocardiography
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Heart Arrest / etiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Predictive Value of Tests