Recurrent coronary stent thromboses and myocardial infarctions.

Although stent thrombosis is a recognized complication of coronary intervention, recurrent stent thrombosis is rarely reported. We present a patient who suffered 3 ST-segment elevation myocardial infarctions associated with repeated stent thromboses within a month and a half. Although a potentially mechanical cause of thrombosis was identified in the only baremetal stent implanted in this case, no predisposing factors were seen for the 2 drug-eluting stents (DES). While recent worrisome data have suggested a slight increase in the incidence of late angiographic stent thrombosis (defined as occurring beyond 30 days) with drug-eluting stents (DES), their risk of subacute thrombosis (from 1 to 30 days) is reported to be equivalent to that of BMS. Therefore, this rare occurrence serves as a sobering reminder of the risks of subacute thrombosis with both BMS and DES. Marked neointimal inhibition, allergic reactions, as well as thienopyridine resistance, may all contribute to the pathophysiology of DES thrombosis. The Food and Drug Administration advisory panel has concluded that when these devices are used for "on-label" indications, the counterbalance of dramatic target lesion revascularization reduction versus rare incidence of late angiographic stent thrombosis results in no overall increase in DES myocardial infarction or mortality risk. Furthermore, a minimum of 1 year of dual antiplatelet therapy is recommended for all recipients of DES at low risk of bleeding.