Fatal left main coronary artery embolism from aortic valve endocarditis following cardiac catheterization

Coronary artery embolization has been associated with sudden cardiac death. It is more commonly seen with aortic valve endocarditis. It manifests as acute myocardial ischemia or infarction, causing instability of the cardiac rhythm, which may be fatal. We report a patient with aortic valve endocarditis who had sudden cardiac death following coronary angiography. Autopsy revealed embolic occlusion of the left main coronary artery. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Intervent. 50:74–77, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.