A blunt chest trauma causing left anterior descending artery dissection and acute myocardial infarction treated by deferred angioplasty

Heart Views. 2011 Apr;12(2):71-3. doi: 10.4103/1995-705X.86018.

Abstract

Traumatic coronary artery dissection is an uncommon cause of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We report a case of blunt chest trauma resulting from a motorcycle collision causing ostial dissection of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery in a 31-year-old previously healthy male. The patient also suffered from compound comminuted fractures of the humerus and ulna and severe liver laceration, which hampered both percutaneous and surgical acute revasularization. After a stormy hospital course, a bare metal stent was implanted to seal the LAD artery dissection. The patient was discharged in a stable condition and was followed-up for rehabilitation. This case report underscores the multidisciplinary approach in facing challenges encountered after rare sequelae of chest trauma.

Keywords: Acute myocardial infarction; blunt chest trauma; dissection; left anterior descending artery; percutaneous coronary intervention.

Publication types

  • Case Reports