Coronary artery bypass grafting for left main trunk coronary artery lesion associated with essential thrombocythemia

Abstract

Effort angina due to left main trunk (LMT) lesion was diagnosed in a 58-year-old man. Platelet count was markedly increased and essential thrombocythemia was also diagnosed. Because of LMT disease, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) was performed prior to medication for essential thrombocythemia. There were no complications during the operation or in the early postoperative period. Melphalan was administered postoperatively resulting in the decrease of platelet count. Postoperative coronary angiography demonstrated that both grafts were patent; however, immediately after coronary angiography, the patient suffered from a sudden onset of myocardial infarction and cerebral infarction. The therapeutic problems associated with hematological disorder in such patients are discussed in this report.