Bailout emergency stenting of unprotected ostial left main coronary artery for acute catheter-induced occlusion during diagnostic coronary angiography

Abstract

The left main coronary artery stenosis involving the ostium is always difficult to suspect clinically. Though they are rare, but leads to catastrophe as they are at risk of a sudden occlusion leading to acute ischemia, fatal arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death in a catheterization laboratory. There are many case reports of iatrogenic dissections of left main coronary artery secondary to guide catheter manipulations which were managed by percutaneous coronary interventions. But our case highlights the sudden occlusion of the left main coronary artery during the diagnostic coronary angiography secondary to the stenosis of the ostial segment of the left main coronary artery. The emergency bailout percutaneous angioplasty could save the patient. The bailout stenting is the only treatment of choice and need of that hour in a catheterization laboratory.