A case of coronary artery air embolism in a transplanted heart during cardiac allograft vasculopathy surveillance angiography

Abstract

Coronary air embolism is a rare iatrogenic complication during invasive coronary angiography or angioplasty that can cause acute chest pain, hypotension, ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, and even death. We present a case of left anterior descending coronary artery air embolization in a 58-year-old heart transplant patient that occurred during cardiac allograft vasculopathy surveillance angiography. The patient was managed successfully with rapid coronary injections of heparinized saline, catheter disengagement to increase coronary blood flow, and supplementation of 100% oxygen to dissolve the coronary air embolus. This case highlights this rare complication of coronary angiography, importance of prompt recognition of the pathology and subsequent management.