Mumbai: 41-year-old man survives a fatal widowmaker heart attack

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In a medical accomplishment, Mumbai doctors performed a high-risk intervention and saved the life of a 41-year-old man with LMCA Cardiogenic Shock Syndrome, also called widowmaker heart attack, with 100 per cent stenosis of left main coronary artery, which is a serious condition with high mortality rates.

The patient, Sanjeev Tripathi, who is a Mira Road resident, experienced severe chest pain three months ago in May 2024. He arrived at the Emergency Department of Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road with profuse sweating, pain radiating to the left arm and persistent vomiting for 30 minutes.

A team headed by Dr Anand Ram, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist at the hospital, looked after the patient, who needed life-saving treatment.

Dr. Ram reveals, "This patient's condition had worsened and his ECG revealed extensive Anterior wall myocardial infarction which has the highest mortality. The patient was diagnosed with LMCA Cardiogenic Shock Syndrome. Angiography was performed immediately, during which it was revealed that he had a previous Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA) with stenting to the Left Anterior Descending Artery (LAD), but he had stopped taking his medication four months ago."

He adds, "Despite the severity of the lesion, Angioplasty was completed. The patient was shifted to the ICU and developed cardiogenic shock due to the large area of myocardial involvement. He was discharged after three days in stable condition."

According to the information shared with the writer, he has been able to return to his ongoing job and daily life routine while having regular follow-ups for the last three months.

However, Dr. Ram recommends, "Patients shouldn't discontinue blood thinners or any medication without the doctor's permission as doing so can cause blockages or heart attack, and even death. Continuing with the medication is essential for preventing any further emergencies."

Priyanka Tripathi, the patient's wife, states, "We fall short of words to express our feelings. All we want to do is thank Dr. Anand Ram and his team for successful treatment and recovery."

What is LMCA Cardiogenic Shock Syndrome?

Dr. Ram explains, "The LMCA Cardiogenic Shock Syndrome described by Quigley et al. is an extremely serious condition in which Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) is accompanied by Cardiogenic Shock and severe LMCA stenosis. The mortality rate is 100 per cent with conservative treatment and 89 per cent with PCI and surgery."

He adds, "LMCA is also called a widowmaker heart attack, which occurs when a patient experiences a major blockage at the beginning of the left main artery (LM). This artery is a major pipeline for blood, carrying about 80 per cent of the heart's blood supply. If blood flow is 100 per cent blocked at this critical location, it can be fatal without emergency care."

Disclaimer: This information does not replace professional medical advice.

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