Acute thrombosis during left main stenting using tap technique in a patient presenting with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome

This case reports the sudden development of large burden of thrombi in the left anterior descending coronary artery immediately following distal left main stenting using TAP technique in a middle aged man who presented with non ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome despite having been administered 7,500 units of unfractionated heparin and being given 325 mg of aspirin and 60 mg of prasugrel prior to the procedure. The thrombi were managed effectively by giving an intra-coronary high bolus dose of tirofiban (25 mcg/kg) without the need for catheter thrombus extraction. Tirofiban intra-venous infusion was maintained for 18 hours, and the patient was discharged in stable condition on the third day. Importantly there is no controlled study on upstream administration of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors in addition to the newer more potent anti-platelet agents in patients with unprotected distal left main disease presenting with non ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome, nor is there any data on safety and efficacy of mandatory usage of injectable anti-platelet agents at the start of a procedure in a catheterization laboratory in such a setting.