A unique case of embolic myocardial infarction in a 22-year-old woman with Fontan circulation

Abstract

Coronary artery embolism is an uncommon cause of acute myocardial infarction. We present a case of a 22-year-old patient with double inlet left ventricle (DILV), ventricular septal defect and pulmonary stenosis after Fontan repair with an acute embolic inferior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Apart from already known risk factors of thrombotic complications associated with Fontan circulation, additional predispositions in this patient included thrombus formation located in the inferior vena cava and the lack of anticoagulation therapy. This is one of the first reported embolic causes of STEMI in a patient with a Fontan circulation. Up to date, there is no consensus that anticoagulation therapy with warfarin is superior to aspirin in primary prevention of thromboembolism in patients with Fontan circulation.