Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty in a 52‐year‐old patient with porcelain aorta and calcified coronaries: A case report

Abstract

Key Clinical Message Porcelain aorta, characterized by extensive calcification of the aortic wall is often associated with coronary calcification. It can pose an increased risk of thromboembolic complications during interventional and surgical procedures. We present a case of a 52‐year‐old female, a chronic smoker with dyslipidemia with complaints of exertional chest pain for past 6 months. She was diagnosed as a case of non‐ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) with multivessel CAD, with porcelain aorta and calcified coronaries based on abnormal ECG, elevated troponin and coronary angiography findings. Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) was the treatment modality chosen considering the risk of thromboembolism with aortic manipulation during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Repeat ECG after the procedure showed resolution of ST segment depression. Her hospital stay was uneventful. She was discharged on dual antiplatelet therapy, statin and metoprolol. One‐week follow‐up revealed normal ECG and blood reports, with further outpatient department visits scheduled every 3 months. Porcelain aorta and coronary calcification is a challenging case for cardiologists. PTCA if done meticulously could be preferable to coronary‐artery by‐pass grafting (CABG) in such patients. Despite the risks like aortic rupture and thromboembolic complications, PTCA in a case of multivessel CAD with porcelain aorta and calcified coronaries could be a life‐saving procedure.

Keywords

• angioplasty, balloon, coronary
• case reports
• coronary artery disease
• vascular calcification