culprit vessel
The coronary artery responsible for causing an acute coronary syndrome or myocardial infarction.
Full Definition
The culprit vessel is the specific coronary artery identified as the cause of an acute coronary syndrome, typically characterized by acute plaque rupture or erosion with subsequent thrombosis. Identification involves correlation of ECG changes, clinical presentation, and angiographic findings showing the vessel with acute occlusion or high-grade stenosis with angiographic signs of thrombus. In multivessel disease, distinguishing the culprit vessel from chronic stenoses is crucial for determining the immediate intervention strategy. Current guidelines generally recommend treating only the culprit vessel in acute settings, with staged procedures for non-culprit lesions.
Usage
Usage note: Hyphenate when used as compound modifier: 'culprit-vessel intervention'.
In Context
- "The proximal LAD was identified as the culprit vessel based on ECG changes and angiographic appearance." — Cardiac catheterization report
- "Primary PCI was performed on the culprit vessel with staged intervention planned for non-culprit lesions." — Treatment plan documentation