Document Type : Case Report
Authors
1 Cardiothoracic Surgery Registrar, Department of Cardiothroacic Surgery, Townsville University Hospital, Townsville, QLD, Australia
2 Cardiothoracic Surgery, Townsville University Hospital, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
Abstract
Introduction:
Coronary air embolism (CAE) is one complication that can lead to catastrophic complications, including myocardial infarction, stroke and death. It is reported to happen during cardiac catheterization, during or few hours after cardiac surgery or as a result of chest trauma. This is a case report of delayed coronary air embolism following cardiac surgery.
Case presentation:
A 58-year-old female presented with New York Heart Association (NYHA) II symptoms from a severe highly eccentric anterior mitral regurgitation from a bio-prosthetic valve with preserved ejection function and a total calcium score of zero which underwent re-do mechanical mitral valve replacement. 2 days post-surgery she was taken to catheterization laboratory with signs and symptoms suggestive of inferior myocardial infarction (MI) and complete heart block (CHB) which symptoms and ST changes resolved immediately after introducing angiographic contrast with angiography revealing no occlusion in right coronary artery (RCA).
Keywords
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