Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Distal embolization
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Distal embolization during percutaneous coronary intervention is defined as either partial or complete occlusion of an instrumented major epicardial coronary artery or a branch due to downstream movement of either thrombus, atheroma, fracture of the distal tip of a coronary guidewire, an undeployed stent or air.[1] It is manifested clinically as either chest pain, ST segment elevation, no reflow during the procedure and / or a rise in biomarkers of myonecrosis (CK-MB or troponin) following the PCI.
Causes
Causes
- Thrombus (from a thrombotic culprit lesion or a coronary guidewire or other equipment in the coronary artery)
- Atheroma
- An undeployed stent
- Fracture of the distal tip of a coronary guidewire
- Air bubbles from manifold injections
Epidemiology and Demographics
Epidemiology and Demographics
Distal embolization occurs in approximately 10% of patients with an acute myocardial infarction undergoing PCI. Embolic complications occur more often in patients with acute MI and in patients undergoing balloon angioplasty of saphenous vein graft lesions, particularly those with recent total occlusion.
Diagnosis
Coronary Angiography: Distal Embolization
Treatment
Distal Embolization Examples
Distal Embolization Examples
References
References
- ↑ Ishizaka N, Issiki T, Saeki F, Furuta Y, Ikari Y, Yamaguchi T (1994). “Predictors of myocardial infarction after distal embolization of coronary vessels with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. Experience of 21 consecutive patients with distal embolization”. Cardiology. 84 (4–5): 298–304. PMID 8187116.
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Hardik Patel, M.D., Sapan Patel M.B.B.S