Refractory Angina Secondary to Large Unligated Side Branch of Internal Mammary Artery

Abstract

Coronary artery disease (CAD) has become a common diagnosis. Managing the symptoms of CAD continues to be an ongoing dilemma requiring optimal medication management or potential revascularization with either percutaneous coronary interventions or coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). We present a case of debilitating refractory angina in a patient with severe CAD after optimal medical therapy and CABG secondary to coronary steal phenomenon via the left internal mammary artery conduit supplying a large unligated side branch to the internal chest wall. While current data are inconclusive on this phenomenon, our patient had complete resolution of angina following coil embolization of unligated side branch of the internal mammary artery.