Successful Management of an Iatrogenic Left Main Coronary Artery Occlusion during Coronary Angiography: A Case Report and Brief Review

Abrupt left main coronary artery (LMCA) closure during diagnostic coronary angiography is a rare but catastrophic event with a poor prognosis. Emergency reperfusion of the LMCA with hemodynamic support should be the primary goal in patients with acute LMCA occlusion. Emergency coronary artery bypass graft surgery may be effective but time-consuming, and carries the risk of extensive and irreversible myocardial damage. We describe a case of abrupt closure of the LMCA due to plaque rupture by a diagnostic angiographic catheter without visible dissection following coronary angiography that was successfully treated with bail-out stenting during cardiopulmonary resuscitation.