Is percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty the treatment of choice for iatrogenic stenosis of the left main coronary artery following aortic valve replacement?

ABSTRACT

Iatrogenic coronary ostial stenosis after aortic valve replacement (AVR) is a rare but life-threatening complication. This condition has been treated with urgent coronary bypass surgery, but such surgery is associated with high morbidity and mortality. The clinical symptoms are usually severe and may appear from 1 to 6 months postoperatively. Pains in the chest that are typical for coronary artery disease but occur in patients after the AVR operation suggest a significant threat. We report a case of left main coronary artery ostial stenosis in a patient who had normal preoperative coronary angiography results. The patient was successfully treated with implantation of a drug-eluting stent.