Acute myocardial infarction caused by a septic coronary embolism diagnosed and treated with a thrombectomy catheter

Heart. 2005 May;91(5):e34. doi: 10.1136/hrt.2004.055046.

Abstract

Acute myocardial infarctions are common in bacteraemia but are seldom diagnosed during life. A 64 year old man with severe chest pain who had fever for several days due to possible bacteraemia was shown by ECG and echocardiography to have possible lateral infarction. Immediate coronary angiography showed possible thrombus in the left circumflex artery, which was treated by thrombectomy catheter. Bacterial thrombus was removed and was verified by histological examination. A stent was implanted without complications. Acute myocardial infarction caused by septic embolism is usually fatal; however, thrombectomy may be useful in these cases.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Cardiac Catheterization / methods
  • Coronary Angiography / methods
  • Coronary Thrombosis / microbiology*
  • Coronary Thrombosis / surgery
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Myocardial Infarction / diagnostic imaging
  • Myocardial Infarction / microbiology*
  • Stents
  • Streptococcal Infections / complications*
  • Thrombectomy / methods*