Transcatheter aspiration of a thrombus and percutaneous transluminal coronary recanalization for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction related to coronavirus disease 2019

Although the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) causes severe viral pneumonia, it has also been reported, in some cases, to co-exist with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Here, we describe the case of a patient with COVID-19 and coronary risk factors for hypertension, including smoking and obesity, who developed acute myocardial infarction due to primary coronary artery thrombosis and was treated with transcatheter thrombus aspiration and percutaneous transluminal coronary recanalization (PTCR) with intracoronary urokinase administration. A large volume of thrombus was collected and thrombolysis in myocardial infarction flow grade 3 was obtained after the procedures. PTCR with or without transcatheter thrombus aspiration may be a useful treatment option. <Learning objective: ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction is a critical complication in patients with novel coronavirus disease 2019. Patients need emergent recanalization to prevent development of fatal cardiac events.>