Open AccessThrombosis and anticoagulation therapy in coronary ectasia
Author(s) -
Perlman P. E.,
Ridgeway N. A.
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
clinical cardiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.263
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1932-8737
pISSN - 0160-9289
DOI - 10.1002/clc.4960120912
Subject(s) - medicine , ectasia , cardiology , thrombosis , warfarin , thrombus , coronary artery ectasia , angina , heparin , coronary arteries , artery , coronary thrombosis , surgery , coronary angiography , atrial fibrillation , myocardial infarction
A 41‐year‐old man presenting with unstable angina was found to have diffuse coronary ectasia with a partially occluding thrombus in the proximal left anterior descending artery. Anticoagulation with heparin followed by warfarin resulted in relief of angina and resolution of thrombosis at follow‐up angiography 3.5 months later. The patient remains well after three years. Nonatherosclerotic ectatic coronary arteries are prone to thrombosis possibly because of spasm, intimal damage, and blood current eddies. We believe that chronic warfarin therapy may be indicated in many patients with coronary ectasia.