Successful prevention of no-reflow phenomenon in a high-risk patient using excimer laser coronary atherectomy

Abstract

During the treatment of coronary artery disease, the no-reflow phenomenon can lead to severe impairment of viable cardiac muscle and all necessary measures should be taken to prevent it. Excimer laser coronary atherectomy (ELCA) may be indicated for lesions with a large thrombus burden due to potential to ablate thrombi and necrotic plaques. However, there are few reports on the use of ELCA for the prevention of distal embolism. Here, we report a case involving severe left ventricular dysfunction with a previous extensive anterior infarction, where ELCA was used in the right coronary artery to prevent the no-reflow phenomenon.