Recanalization of a Coronary Artery During Coronary Angiogram

Abstract

Dear Editor;

Atherosclerosis is the name given to the build up of cholesterol and fatty deposits or plaques in the coronary artery walls. The coronary arteries become narrow and hardened, their elasticity disappears and it becomes difficult for blood to flow through.The fatty plaques can also rupture, causing blood to clot around the rupture. Plaque ruptures are a common cause of unstable angina pectoris (1). Coronary artery reperfusion are commonly achieved by intravenous administration of thrombolytic agents and mechanical recanalization (2). A 62 year old man was admitted to the coronary care unit with unstable angina pectoris. His ECG showed minimal ST segment elevation in the leads V1-3 and ST depression in leads II-III, and V4-6. The patient underwent coronary angiography. In anteroposterior cranial view, it was clearly seen that left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) was totaly occluded before the first diagonal branch (Panel A). After opaquie injection distal of LAD was clearly visualized (Panel B). This case showed that opaque injection caused recanalization of occluded LAD artery by means of mechanical affect to the existing thrombus.