Acute myocardial infarction caused by coronary artery dissection following blunt chest trauma

Yonsei Med J. 2003 Aug 30;44(4):736-9. doi: 10.3349/ymj.2003.44.4.736.

Abstract

Chest trauma can lead to various cardiac complications ranging from simple arrhythmias to myocardial rupture. An acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a rare complication that can occur after chest trauma. We report a case of 66-year-old male who suffered a blunt chest trauma from a traffic accident resulting in an AMI. The coronary angiography revealed an eccentric 50% narrowing of the ostium of left anterior descending artery (LAD) by a dissection flap with calcification. Intravascular ultrasonography (IVUS) revealed eccentric calcified plaque (minimal luminal diameter [MLD]=3.5 mm) with a dissection flap. Intervention was not performed considering the MLD and calcified flap, and he has been conservatively managed with aspirin and losartan for 2 years. The follow-up coronary angiography showed an insignificant luminal narrowing of the proximal LAD from the ostium without evidence of a dissection. An early coronary evaluation including an IVUS study should be considered for managing patients who complain of ongoing, deep-seated chest pain with elevated cardiac enzyme levels and an abnormal electrocardiogram (ECG) after a blunt chest trauma. Based on this case, some limited cases of traumatic coronary artery dissections can be healed with conservative management and result in a good prognosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aortic Dissection / diagnosis
  • Aortic Dissection / etiology*
  • Coronary Aneurysm / diagnosis
  • Coronary Aneurysm / etiology*
  • Coronary Angiography
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Myocardial Infarction / diagnosis
  • Myocardial Infarction / etiology*
  • Radiography, Thoracic
  • Thoracic Injuries / complications*
  • Ultrasonography, Interventional
  • Wounds, Nonpenetrating / complications*