Transluminal recanalization of coronary artery thrombosis: a preliminary report of its application in cardiogenic shock

In a 75 year old male patient with cardiogenic shock due to an acute inferior myocardial infarction the occluded right coronary artery was recanalized via a catheter. The occlusion consisted in an old stenotic lesion with an acute thrombus superimposed. Contrast injection appeared to result in the mobilization of the thrombus with partial reopening of the vessel. After 45 min of intracoronary streptokinase infusion the thrombus appeared to be completely resolved. Reperfusion was associated with the reversal of shock.