A “giant bomb” in acute myocardial infarction due to coronary artery aneurysm: a case report

BackgroundCoronary artery aneurysm associated with acute coronary syndromes represents a rare clinical entity, particularly in cases with persistent significant thrombus burden following aspiration therapy. The novel pathomechanism of intra-aneurysmal thrombosis secondary to pathological flow dynami...

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Main Authors: Jin Chen, Wei Du, Jianyu Jiang, Liugang Xu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2025.1631992/full
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author Jin Chen
Wei Du
Jianyu Jiang
Liugang Xu
Liugang Xu
author_facet Jin Chen
Wei Du
Jianyu Jiang
Liugang Xu
Liugang Xu
author_sort Jin Chen
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundCoronary artery aneurysm associated with acute coronary syndromes represents a rare clinical entity, particularly in cases with persistent significant thrombus burden following aspiration therapy. The novel pathomechanism of intra-aneurysmal thrombosis secondary to pathological flow dynamics—characterized by endothelial shear stress perturbation and blood stasis—has been rarely documented. While existing literature describes therapeutic applications of surgical repair, percutaneous intervention, and pharmacotherapy in coronary artery aneurysm management, no consensus-driven protocol has been established, reflecting critical knowledge gaps in risk-stratified treatment algorithms for thrombus-laden aneurysms.Case outlineA 51-year-old female presenting with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction underwent emergency coronary angiography, revealing a large right coronary artery aneurysm with significant intra-aneurysmal thrombus burden. Despite successful thrombus aspiration restoring distal TIMI 3 flow, persistent residual thrombus within the aneurysmal segment prompted the selection of intensified anticoagulation combined with dual antiplatelet therapy over percutaneous intervention. Throughout the therapeutic course, the patient remained asymptomatic without recurrent angina. Follow-up angiography performed after 7 days of targeted antithrombotic therapy demonstrated near-complete resolution of the intra-aneurysmal thrombus, accompanied by preserved coronary flow and no evidence of distal embolization.ConclusionWe present a rare case of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction complicated by a coronary artery aneurysm, highlighting the therapeutic challenges in managing such complex pathologies. While intensified anticoagulation combined with dual antiplatelet therapy constitutes a clinically valid approach, the absence of consensus guidelines results in significant variability in treatment protocols. This case underscores the urgent need for large-scale multicenter studies to establish evidence-based management strategies for patients with coronary artery aneurysm associated with acute coronary syndromes.
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spelling doaj-art-ecc75f4902c6444c83f8f0ec20f815c52025-08-20T02:37:05ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine2297-055X2025-07-011210.3389/fcvm.2025.16319921631992A “giant bomb” in acute myocardial infarction due to coronary artery aneurysm: a case reportJin Chen0Wei Du1Jianyu Jiang2Liugang Xu3Liugang Xu4Department of Cardiology, Zhangjiagang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu, ChinaDepartment of Cardiology, Zhangjiagang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu, ChinaDepartment of Cardiology, Zhangjiagang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu, ChinaDepartment of Cardiology, Zhangjiagang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu, ChinaDepartment of Cardiology, Zhangjiagang City Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Attached to Jiangsu Institute of Vocational Medicine, Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu, ChinaBackgroundCoronary artery aneurysm associated with acute coronary syndromes represents a rare clinical entity, particularly in cases with persistent significant thrombus burden following aspiration therapy. The novel pathomechanism of intra-aneurysmal thrombosis secondary to pathological flow dynamics—characterized by endothelial shear stress perturbation and blood stasis—has been rarely documented. While existing literature describes therapeutic applications of surgical repair, percutaneous intervention, and pharmacotherapy in coronary artery aneurysm management, no consensus-driven protocol has been established, reflecting critical knowledge gaps in risk-stratified treatment algorithms for thrombus-laden aneurysms.Case outlineA 51-year-old female presenting with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction underwent emergency coronary angiography, revealing a large right coronary artery aneurysm with significant intra-aneurysmal thrombus burden. Despite successful thrombus aspiration restoring distal TIMI 3 flow, persistent residual thrombus within the aneurysmal segment prompted the selection of intensified anticoagulation combined with dual antiplatelet therapy over percutaneous intervention. Throughout the therapeutic course, the patient remained asymptomatic without recurrent angina. Follow-up angiography performed after 7 days of targeted antithrombotic therapy demonstrated near-complete resolution of the intra-aneurysmal thrombus, accompanied by preserved coronary flow and no evidence of distal embolization.ConclusionWe present a rare case of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction complicated by a coronary artery aneurysm, highlighting the therapeutic challenges in managing such complex pathologies. While intensified anticoagulation combined with dual antiplatelet therapy constitutes a clinically valid approach, the absence of consensus guidelines results in significant variability in treatment protocols. This case underscores the urgent need for large-scale multicenter studies to establish evidence-based management strategies for patients with coronary artery aneurysm associated with acute coronary syndromes.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2025.1631992/fullcoronary artery aneurysmacute coronary syndromesthrombosisanticoagulationcase report
spellingShingle Jin Chen
Wei Du
Jianyu Jiang
Liugang Xu
Liugang Xu
A “giant bomb” in acute myocardial infarction due to coronary artery aneurysm: a case report
Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine
coronary artery aneurysm
acute coronary syndromes
thrombosis
anticoagulation
case report
title A “giant bomb” in acute myocardial infarction due to coronary artery aneurysm: a case report
title_full A “giant bomb” in acute myocardial infarction due to coronary artery aneurysm: a case report
title_fullStr A “giant bomb” in acute myocardial infarction due to coronary artery aneurysm: a case report
title_full_unstemmed A “giant bomb” in acute myocardial infarction due to coronary artery aneurysm: a case report
title_short A “giant bomb” in acute myocardial infarction due to coronary artery aneurysm: a case report
title_sort giant bomb in acute myocardial infarction due to coronary artery aneurysm a case report
topic coronary artery aneurysm
acute coronary syndromes
thrombosis
anticoagulation
case report
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2025.1631992/full
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