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Case Reports
. 2013 Jul;17(3):274-6.

Occlusion of the right coronary artery after blunt thoracic trauma with fatal outcome: A case report and review of the literature

G Kotsovolis  1 , Z Aidoni  1 , E Geka  1 , M Peftoulidou  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Occlusion of the right coronary artery after blunt thoracic trauma with fatal outcome: A case report and review of the literature

G Kotsovolis et al. Hippokratia. 2013 Jul.

Abstract

Background: Although damage of the heart vessels is a possible complication of blunt thoracic trauma, occlusion of the right coronary artery is rare and demands high level of suspicion by the emergency physicians.

Objective: Our objective is to present a case of fatal acute occlusion of the right coronary artery after blunt thoracic trauma due to vehicle accident and conduct a brief review of the current literature.

Case report: A 58-year-old sustained chest trauma after a vehicle accident, complicated by acute occlusion of the right coronary artery. Despite invasive intervention the patient deteriorated and died due to multi-organ failure.

Conclusion: Acute occlusion of the right coronary artery is a rare complication of blunt chest trauma. Early diagnosis and intervention, collaboration between different specialties and proper hospitalization are vital for the outcome of the patient.

Keywords: Inferior wall myocardial infarction; chest injury; fatal outcome.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. ECG of the patient upon arrival at the emergency department. ST elevation in leads II, III, aVF, V1 and V2 indicating inferior and lateral myocardial infarction
Figure 2
Figure 2. Occlusion and reperfusion of the right coronary artery. The angiography shows initially a complete occlusion of the right coronary artery. Then the wire passes through the occlusion and the metal stent expands. The final picture shows reperfusion of the artery
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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