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Coronary artery embolism

Last edited: 4/22/2026

Overview

Coronary artery embolism is a rare but potentially fatal condition characterized by obstruction of coronary arteries by emboli, often associated with valvular heart disease, atrial fibrillation, and other prothrombotic states 3.

Diagnosis

  • Clinical suspicion: Acute myocardial infarction in patients with predisposing conditions like valvular heart disease, atrial fibrillation, or intracardiac thrombus 36.
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG): May show transient or atypical changes 16.
  • Coronary angiography: Essential for visualizing emboli and assessing coronary anatomy 45.
  • Echocardiography: Useful for identifying potential sources such as mobile aortic plaques or left atrial appendage thrombi 411.
  • Cardiac biomarkers: Elevated troponin levels support myocardial injury 16.
  • Imaging modalities: Transesophageal echocardiography for detailed intracardiac evaluation 4.
  • Management

  • First-line treatments:
  • - Thrombolysis: Intravenous or intra-coronary administration of drugs like bivalirudin for clot dissolution 5. - Thrombectomy: Mechanical aspiration or thrombectomy devices for immediate removal of emboli 4.
  • Adjunctive treatments:
  • - Anticoagulation: Transition to anticoagulants like bivalirudin after initial thrombolysis 5. - Antiplatelet therapy: Aspirin and clopidogrel to prevent further clot formation 5.
  • Specific drug dosing:
  • - Bivalirudin: Intravenous administration for clot resolution 5.

    Special Populations

  • Elderly: Management considerations include higher risk of bleeding and comorbidities 4.
  • Comorbidities: Patients with atrial fibrillation or valvular heart disease require careful anticoagulation management 36.
  • Pediatrics: Not specifically addressed in abstracts; neonatal cases may involve catheter-related complications requiring medical management initially 22.
  • Key Recommendations

  • Suspect coronary embolism in patients with acute myocardial infarction and underlying conditions predisposing to embolism (Evidence: Moderate 36).
  • Utilize coronary angiography for definitive diagnosis and assessment of emboli (Evidence: Moderate 45).
  • Consider thrombolysis with agents like bivalirudin for clot dissolution in appropriate patients (Evidence: Weak 5).
  • Employ mechanical thrombectomy when immediate removal of emboli is necessary (Evidence: Expert opinion based on case reports 4).
  • Manage anticoagulation cautiously in elderly patients and those with comorbidities (Evidence: Expert opinion 4).
  • References

    1 Riguetti-Pinto CR, Virgini-Magalhães CE, Carvalho Marchon LR, de Araujo FAP, Alves Machado H, Rodrigues Neto EO et al.. Endovascular Treatment for Renal Vein Embolism by a Renal Calculus After Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy. Journal of endovascular therapy : an official journal of the International Society of Endovascular Specialists 2026. link 2 Liu Z, Jiang Y, Zhou J, Pan C, Liu K. Agarose Gel as an Injectable Filler Significantly Reduced the Risk of Rabbit Retinal Artery Embolism Compared to Hyaluronic Acid. Aesthetic plastic surgery 2026. link 3 Lacey MJ, Raza S, Rehman H, Puri R, Bhatt DL, Kalra A. Coronary Embolism: A Systematic Review. Cardiovascular revascularization medicine : including molecular interventions 2020. link 4 Nakamura D, Makino N, Egami Y, Shutta R, Tanouchi J, Nishino M. Successful thrombectomy for coronary embolism likely due to floating aortic plaque in ascending aorta. Cardiovascular intervention and therapeutics 2015. link 5 Steinwender C, Hofmann R, Hartenthaler B, Leisch F. Resolution of a coronary embolus by intravenous application of bivalirudin. International journal of cardiology 2009. link 6 Van de Walle S, Dujardin K. A case of coronary embolism in a patient with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation receiving tamoxifen. International journal of cardiology 2007. link 7 Chaudhuri N, Hickey MS. A simple method of treating coronary air embolism after cardiopulmonary bypass. The Annals of thoracic surgery 1999. link00822-x) 8 Eurvilaichit C, Tirapanich W, Thongborisute E. Renal artery embolism: therapy with intra-arterial streptokinase infusion. Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand = Chotmaihet thangphaet 1999. link 9 Joshi PS, Pradhan SA. Acute neoplastic arterial embolism after pneumonectomy. Indian journal of cancer 1998. link 10 Metter D, Brown A, Ramos-Gabatin A, Gelormini R. Renal artery embolism. Correlation with scintigraphic and radiographic findings. Clinical nuclear medicine 1994. link 11 Mügge A, Gulba DC, Frei U, Wagenbreth I, Grote R, Daniel WG et al.. Renal artery embolism: thrombolysis with recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator. Journal of internal medicine 1990. link 12 Jones RE, Tribble CG, Tegtmeyer CJ, Craddock GB, Mentzer RM. Bilateral renal artery embolism: a diagnostic and therapeutic problem. Journal of vascular surgery 1987. link 13 Donadio C, Auner I, Giordani R, Lucchetti A, Pentimone F. Serum and urinary enzyme activities in renal artery embolism. Clinica chimica acta; international journal of clinical chemistry 1986. link90135-x) 14 Jeynes BJ. Combined streptokinase and taurochenodeoxycholate action on experimentally induced atherothromboemboli. Chandler Tube Study. Archives of pathology & laboratory medicine 1986. link 15 Nicholas GG, DeMuth WE. Treatment of renal artery embolism. Archives of surgery (Chicago, Ill. : 1960) 1984. link 16 Charles RG, Epstein EJ. Diagnosis of coronary embolism: a review. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine 1983. link 17 Rudy DC, Parker TW, Seigel RS, Woodside JR. Segmental renal artery emboli treated with low-dose intra-arterial streptokinase. Urology 1982. link90200-x) 18 Glazer GM, Nicol RF, Moss AA. Case report. CT demonstration of hepatic oil embolism following lymphangiography. Journal of computer assisted tomography 1981. link 19 Sanfelippo CJ, Goldin A. Intra-arterial streptokinase and renal artery embolization. Urology 1978. link90202-9) 20 Lessman RK, Johnson SF, Coburn JW, Kaufman JJ. Renal artery embolism: clinical features and long-term follow-up of 17 cases. Annals of internal medicine 1978. link 21 Lacombe M. Surgical versus medical treatment of renal artery embolism. The Journal of cardiovascular surgery 1977. link 22 Siegler RL. Conservative management of neonatal renal artery embolism. Urology 1976. link90283-1) 23 Selli C, Turini D, Berni G. Embolism in a single functioning kidney: report of two cases. British journal of urology 1976. link

    Original source

    1. [1]
      Endovascular Treatment for Renal Vein Embolism by a Renal Calculus After Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy.Riguetti-Pinto CR, Virgini-Magalhães CE, Carvalho Marchon LR, de Araujo FAP, Alves Machado H, Rodrigues Neto EO et al. Journal of endovascular therapy : an official journal of the International Society of Endovascular Specialists (2026)
    2. [2]
    3. [3]
      Coronary Embolism: A Systematic Review.Lacey MJ, Raza S, Rehman H, Puri R, Bhatt DL, Kalra A Cardiovascular revascularization medicine : including molecular interventions (2020)
    4. [4]
      Successful thrombectomy for coronary embolism likely due to floating aortic plaque in ascending aorta.Nakamura D, Makino N, Egami Y, Shutta R, Tanouchi J, Nishino M Cardiovascular intervention and therapeutics (2015)
    5. [5]
      Resolution of a coronary embolus by intravenous application of bivalirudin.Steinwender C, Hofmann R, Hartenthaler B, Leisch F International journal of cardiology (2009)
    6. [6]
      A case of coronary embolism in a patient with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation receiving tamoxifen.Van de Walle S, Dujardin K International journal of cardiology (2007)
    7. [7]
      A simple method of treating coronary air embolism after cardiopulmonary bypass.Chaudhuri N, Hickey MS The Annals of thoracic surgery (1999)
    8. [8]
      Renal artery embolism: therapy with intra-arterial streptokinase infusion.Eurvilaichit C, Tirapanich W, Thongborisute E Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand = Chotmaihet thangphaet (1999)
    9. [9]
      Acute neoplastic arterial embolism after pneumonectomy.Joshi PS, Pradhan SA Indian journal of cancer (1998)
    10. [10]
      Renal artery embolism. Correlation with scintigraphic and radiographic findings.Metter D, Brown A, Ramos-Gabatin A, Gelormini R Clinical nuclear medicine (1994)
    11. [11]
      Renal artery embolism: thrombolysis with recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator.Mügge A, Gulba DC, Frei U, Wagenbreth I, Grote R, Daniel WG et al. Journal of internal medicine (1990)
    12. [12]
      Bilateral renal artery embolism: a diagnostic and therapeutic problem.Jones RE, Tribble CG, Tegtmeyer CJ, Craddock GB, Mentzer RM Journal of vascular surgery (1987)
    13. [13]
      Serum and urinary enzyme activities in renal artery embolism.Donadio C, Auner I, Giordani R, Lucchetti A, Pentimone F Clinica chimica acta; international journal of clinical chemistry (1986)
    14. [14]
    15. [15]
      Treatment of renal artery embolism.Nicholas GG, DeMuth WE Archives of surgery (Chicago, Ill. : 1960) (1984)
    16. [16]
      Diagnosis of coronary embolism: a review.Charles RG, Epstein EJ Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine (1983)
    17. [17]
      Segmental renal artery emboli treated with low-dose intra-arterial streptokinase.Rudy DC, Parker TW, Seigel RS, Woodside JR Urology (1982)
    18. [18]
      Case report. CT demonstration of hepatic oil embolism following lymphangiography.Glazer GM, Nicol RF, Moss AA Journal of computer assisted tomography (1981)
    19. [19]
      Intra-arterial streptokinase and renal artery embolization.Sanfelippo CJ, Goldin A Urology (1978)
    20. [20]
      Renal artery embolism: clinical features and long-term follow-up of 17 cases.Lessman RK, Johnson SF, Coburn JW, Kaufman JJ Annals of internal medicine (1978)
    21. [21]
      Surgical versus medical treatment of renal artery embolism.Lacombe M The Journal of cardiovascular surgery (1977)
    22. [22]
    23. [23]
      Embolism in a single functioning kidney: report of two cases.Selli C, Turini D, Berni G British journal of urology (1976)

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