Cardiogenic shock complicating myocardial infarction: a lost cause or reasons for hope?

[Acute non protected main left coronary artery occlusion: a report of six cases treated by angioplasty]

AIM

Acute main left coronary artery occlusion is rarely observed during primary angioplasty in myocardial infarction. This retrospective study reports the results of six patients treated by angioplasty in a hospital without cardiac surgery department.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From 2002 to 2009, 746 patients were treated by primary angioplasty for acute coronary syndromes with ST elevation. Among those patients, six (0,7%) had acute non protected main left coronary occlusion. We report clinical, angiographical data and follow-up.

RESULTS

The population was composed of six patients (five males) with an average age of 64+/-7 years. Five patients were admitted with cardiogenic shock and four were mechanically ventilated. Distal occlusion of main left coronary artery and dominant right coronary artery were noted in all cases. Sub-occluded lesion of right coronary artery was noted in one case. Successful procedure with bare metal stent was achieved in five cases. Mortality rate was 66% (n=4): three patients died in hospital and another 1 or 2 months later of congestive heart failure. Coronary artery bypass grafting was performed at 4 and 12 months later for two patients. They are alive after 12 and 72 months of follow-up.

CONCLUSION

We demonstrate the feasibility of percutaneous coronary intervention of acute main left coronary occlusion. Inspite successful procedure, intrahospital mortality rate is still high and prognosis is related to cardiogenic shock.