CTICasesIatrogenic Circumflex Artery Occlusion
Imaging findings
Coronary CTA in a young patient post-aortic root repair demonstrates complete occlusion and absence of a previously stented, retro-aortic left circumflex coronary artery. Cardiac MRI shows a large, corresponding perfusion defect in the circumflex territory. The patient subsequently developed severe, diffuse cerebral edema requiring surgical decompression.
Key takeaways
Occlusion of an anomalous or retro-aortic circumflex coronary artery is a recognized, catastrophic complication of aortic root or valve surgery. The artery's retro-aortic course makes it highly susceptible to compression, kinking, or direct injury during surgical suture placement or root reconstruction, leading to acute myocardial infarction, pump failure, and secondary ischemic encephalopathy.
AI-assisted summary — may contain errors. Verify against the source video. Learn more
More from this webinar
- Ollier DiseaseCongenital
- Gold Thread AcupunctureIatrogenic
- Pulmonary Tumor EmbolismNeoplastic
- Pulmonary Veno-Occlusive DiseaseVascular
- Pulmonary SlingCongenital
- Mitral-Aortic Intervalvular Fibrosa PseudoaneurysmInfection
- Retained Acupuncture NeedlesIatrogenic
- CoccidioidomycosisInfection
See all cases from December 8, 2017 →