Volume 106, Issue 1 pp. 120-127
CASE REPORT

A Unique Method for Successful Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention of an Anomalous Origin of the Culprit Coronary Artery

Masataka Yoshinaga

Corresponding Author

Masataka Yoshinaga

Department of Cardiology, Fujita Health University Bantane Hospital, Nagoya, Japan

Correspondence: Masataka Yoshinaga ([email protected])

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Takashi Muramatsu

Takashi Muramatsu

Department of Cardiology, Fujita Health University Hospital, Toyoake, Japan

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Hiroki Higami

Hiroki Higami

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Gifu Heart Center, Gifu, Japan

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Kenya Nasu

Kenya Nasu

Department of Cardiology, Mie Heart Center, Mie, Japan

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First published: 01 April 2025

ABSTRACT

We present a novel, simple, and low-cost “side-hole” technique for a patient with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) caused by an occlusion of an anomalous origin of the culprit coronary artery (AOCCA). In a case where standard guiding catheters failed to engage the anomalous left coronary artery (LCA), we created an approximately 3 mm side-hole near the tip of a 5 Fr diagnostic catheter and then introduced a guidewire and microcatheter directly into the anomalous left main trunk (LMT). Subsequently, we withdrew this diagnostic catheter and exchanged it for a guiding catheter over the guide wire, enabling rapid primary PCI. This approach facilitated rapid wire passage, minimized additional device use, and helped reduce overall reperfusion time. It may be especially useful in urgent STEMI cases where a suitable guiding catheter for AOCCA lesions cannot be readily identified.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Data Availability Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author. The data are not publicly available due to privacy or ethical restrictions.

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