Cardiac arrest associated with sildenafil ingestion in a patient with an abnormal origin of the left coronary artery: case report

BMC Cardiovasc Disord. 2011 Aug 8:11:49. doi: 10.1186/1471-2261-11-49.

Abstract

Background: Left coronary artery arising from the right sinus of Valsalva is an uncommon congenital coronary anomaly that seems to be associated with sudden death in young patients.

Case presentation: We report a case of cardiac arrest in a 59-year-old patient after sexual intercourse and Sildenafil ingestion. A coronary arteriography and an angiographic computed tomography scan subsequently revealed a LCA origin from the right aortic sinus along with an intramural course of the left main stem. In addition a distal stenosis of the right coronary artery was detected. After successful resuscitation without neurological deficits coronary artery bypass surgery was performed.

Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating sudden cardiac arrest associated with Sildenafil ingestion in a patient with this type of coronary anomaly. The question arises, whether a cardiac screening is necessary before a Sildenafil therapy is initiated.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Coronary Vessel Anomalies / complications
  • Coronary Vessel Anomalies / diagnosis*
  • Heart Arrest / chemically induced*
  • Heart Arrest / diagnosis*
  • Heart Arrest / etiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Piperazines / adverse effects*
  • Purines / adverse effects
  • Sildenafil Citrate
  • Sulfones / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Piperazines
  • Purines
  • Sulfones
  • Sildenafil Citrate