Recurrent spontaneous coronary artery dissection: A case report and review of the literature

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection is a rare cause of acute coronary syndrome. Recurrent spontaneous dissection is even more rare. A case of recurrent coronary artery dissection is reported and the literature is reviewed.     

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection: Case series and review of literature

AimSpontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a less recognized cause of ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in clinical practice. The aim of this communication is to describe a case series in South Asian population and highlight on the long-term clinical outcomes on conservative management.MethodsA retrospective analysis of data of five patients (6 instances) of SCAD managed in a tertiary care center during January 1994 to June 2015 was done. Clinical, angiographic, therapeutic, and follow-up data till end of June 2015 are analyzed.ResultsAll patients were young (mean – 33 years) and predominantly male. Etiology of SCAD was diverse and included peripartum state, vigorous activity and atherosclerosis. Left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery was predominantly involved and the majority had angiographic type 1 SCAD. Medical treatment provides excellent long-term benefits. Coronary stenting provided symptomatic benefit in a patient with favorable anatomy.ConclusionsClinical recognition of SCAD is difficult. It should be suspected in peripartum state, young females and in presence of other precipitating factors. Coronary angiography is essential for establishing the diagnosis. Medical treatment provides favorable long-term survival.Implications and practiceThe awareness of SCAD is important for all clinicians involved in STEMI care. A prompt suspicion can avoid administration of thrombolytic therapy. Early coronary angiography will provide an accurate diagnosis and help in deciding appropriate therapy. Percutaneous intervention can be challenging.     

Coronary artery dissection secondary to coronary arteriography: Case report and review

A case of catheter-induced proximal dissection of an angiographically normal left coronary artery is reported. Dissection was not associated with pressure damping and myocardial ischemia was delayed until 1 hour after dissection occurred. Prompt recognition of this entity is essential as emergency revascularization is the treatment of choice when significant amounts of myocardium are threatened.     

Left main stem coronary artery dissection during coronary angiography

This paper describes a case of dissection of the main stem of the left coronary artery during coronary angiography with an uneventful clinical course. As far as we know, only one comparable case has been reported before. A brief survey of the pertinent literature is presented. Some possible pathogenetic factors are considered. No specific preventive or therapeutic measurement can be recommended.     

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection and associated CT coronary angiographic findings: a case report and review

We report a case of an acute coronary syndrome in a 21-year-old male with invasive coronary angiography and computed tomography (CT) coronary angiography showing a spontaneous dissection of the left anterior descending artery. To our knowledge the CT coronary angiographic appearance of spontaneous coronary artery dissection has been reported only once before. We describe the role CT coronary angiography may have in the evaluation of coronary dissection as well as potential treatment options.     

Coronary artery stenting for spontaneous coronary artery dissection: A case report and review of the literature

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection is an uncommon cause of acute coronary syndromes. It occurs in three major groups: in young women in the peripartum period, in patients with atherosclerotic disease, and in an idiopathic group. There are a number of associated conditions, but the pathogenesis remains unclear. Diagnosis can only be made at angiography. Treatments include medical therapy, coronary artery bypass grafts, and newer interventional procedures. We report on a case of spontaneous coronary artery dissection involving the left circumflex artery in a young adult male presenting with a myocardial infarction after exercise. There were no risk factors for coronary artery disease and no evidence of atherosclerosis on angiography. The dissection was treated with primary coronary artery stenting without predilation, achieving an excellent result. To our knowledge, this is the third known case of successful coronary artery stenting for this condition and the first case of primary stenting without prior angioplasty. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Diagn. 45:280–286, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection in mitral stenosis

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection is a rare disease thatoccurs most commonly in young people, especially in peripartumor postpartum women. It has rarely been diagnosed during lifeand has never before been observed associated with any othernon-ischaemic heart disease. We report a case associated withmitral stenosis, in which successful valvular and coronary surgerywere carried out. We speculate whether rheumatic coronary arteritiswas a cause of the dissection.     

Coronary artery disease confined to secondary branches of the left coronary system

Among 3,000 patients studied by coronary arteriography during a 4-year period, 31 patients (1%) had coronary artery disease limited to a diagonal branch of the left anterior descending (15 patients), marginal branch of the left circumflex (10 patients), or to both branches (6 patients). Ten patients had 50-69% and twenty-one had ?70% diameter narrowing. The suitability for grafting was noted in 20 patients as judged by the caliber and distribution of the diseased branches. Collaterals were noted in seven patients. Disease was present in 28 men and 3 women (age range 38-70 years). At least one major coronary risk factor was present in 27 patients. Angina was noted in 27 patients; prior myocardial infarction was noted in 5 patients by history and in 4 by ECG. The left ventriculogram was normal in 22 patients and showed mild segmental asynergy in 9; ejection fraction was normal in all. Exercise ECGs were positive in 12 of 25 patients; exercise201 thallium scans were positive in 13. All patients responded to medical therapy.     

Balloon assisted hematoma fenestration in spontaneous coronary artery dissection. Case presentation and literature review

The management of spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is lacking randomized data. This also holds for SCAD with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction where stenting has been used to restore coronary flow. This approach can be associated with many drawbacks. Therefore, we present an alternative approach to stenting when coronary flow cannot be restored using cutting balloons alone.     

Idiopathic coronary artery dissection: a rare in vivo diagnosis

A 42-year-old white female, who had an acute myocardial infarction, developed postinfarction angina and underwent coronary angiography seven weeks after the event. Coronary angiogram demonstrated a primary dissection of the left anterior descending artery. To our knowledge this is the sixth such report of a patient with primary dissection of a coronary artery demonstrated by angiography and the fourth such patient reported to achieve and maintain asymptomatic status without operative intervention.     

Coronary artery-left ventricular communications: A report of two cases and review of the literature

Two patients with chest pain had angiographically-demonstrated communications between the three coronary arteries and the left ventricular chamber. Communications between coronary arteries and the left ventricle are unusual and communications between all three coronary arteries and the left ventricle are rare. These anomalies are, however, commonly associated with symptoms of chest pain. The presence of left ventricular hypertrophy and a widened pulse pressure may suggest a greater hemo-dynamic effect of the shunt flow than often suspected angiographically.     

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection: A Western Denmark Heart Registry Study

Background : Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare cause of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) that associates with a high acute‐phase mortality rate, whereas long‐term outcome is less well described. Objective : To describe the incidence, predictors, and prognosis of SCAD. Design : Retrospective case‐identification study from the Western Denmark Heart Registry and the database of the Forensic Institute at Aarhus University from 1999 through 2007. Results : SCAD was documented in 22 of 32,869 (0.7‰) angiograms in the angiographic registry. The SCAD incidence among cases of ACS was 22 of 11,175 (2.0‰). None was seen in the forensic database. The mean age was 48.7 ± 8.9 years (range: 37–71 years). Females constituted 17 of 22 (77%) patients and all had undergone one or more pregnancies; two cases occurred in the postpartum period. The left descending artery (LAD) was the predominant site of entry. The age distribution, prevalence of the cardiovascular risk factors, presence of coronary atherosclerosis, and entry of the dissection were comparable among genders. Treatment was percutaneous coronary intervention in 13 of 22 (59%), coronary artery bypass operation in 2 of 22 (9%), and medical treatment in 7 of 22 (32%) patients. The mean follow‐up period was 3.6 ± 2.9 years. One patient suffered from recurrent SCAD; another patient died suddenly. The MACE‐ (cardiac death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, and new revascularization) free survival was 81% after 24 months. Conclusion : SCAD is a rare disease that mainly affects younger women. Compared with earlier reports, the prognosis seems to be improved by early diagnosis and interventional treatment. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection, aneurysms, and pseudoaneurysms: a review

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection is a rare cause of myocardial ischemia and sudden death. Coronary aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms, which may occur after percutaneous coronary interventions, rarely occur spontaneously. We review the pertinent medical literature and describe the intravascular findings of spontaneous coronary artery dissection, aneurysms, and pseudoaneurysms.     

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection of the left anterior descending artery in a patient with COVID-19 infection

A 48-year-old woman with a past medical history of migraines and hyperlipidemia presented due to severe retrosternal chest pain with no other associated signs or symptoms. The patient was hemodynamically stable and was found to have an elevated troponin with electrocardiogram showing no ischemic changes. Computed tomography of the coronary arteries showed a left dominant system with dissection extending from the mid-to-distal left anterior descending (LAD) artery. The patient was subsequently discharged on medical therapy but returned 3 days later due to worsening chest pain. Electrocardiogram revealed inferior and anteroseptal ST segment changes with peak troponin of 14.9 ng/ml (reference range <0.80 ng/ml). Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) nasopharyngeal swab was performed prior to urgent coronary angiogram. Coronary angiogram was performed with full personal protective equipment for respiratory and droplet precautions due to pending COVID-19 testing results. Angiogram revealed spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) extending from the ostium of the LAD to the distal vessel. COVID-19 testing returned positive while in intensive care unit. The patient was not a percutaneous coronary intervention candidate due to the extent of the dissection and was not a surgical candidate due to a lack of graftable target and medical management was continued. To our knowledge, this case is the first in which SCAD has been reported in the LAD in a patient with COVID-19 with no other symptoms of respiratory illness or symptoms classically associated with the novel coronavirus. SCAD should be considered on the differential as one of the various cardiac manifestations of COVID-19 infection.     

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is an unusual cause of acute myocardial ischemia with complex pathophysiology. This paper reviews the major diagnostic and therapeutic issues of this rare but important disease. The diagnosis of SCAD should be strongly considered in any patient who presents with symptoms suggestive of acute myocardial ischemia, particularly in young subjects without traditional risk factors for coronary artery disease (especially in young women during the peripartum period or in association with oral contraceptive use). Urgent coronary angiography is indicated to establish the diagnosis and to determine the appropriate therapeutic approach. The decision to pursue medical management, percutaneous coronary intervention, or surgical revascularization is based primarily on the clinical presentation, extent of dissection, and amount of ischemic myocardium at risk.     

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection: A review of diagnostic methods and management strategies

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare non-atherosclerotic cause of acute coronary syndromes defined as non-iatrogenic, non-traumatic separation of the coronary artery wall. The most common profile is a middle-aged woman between 44 and 53 years with few cardiovascular risk factors. SCAD is frequently linked with predisposing factors, such as postpartum, fibromuscular dysplasia or other vasculopathies, connective tissue disease and hormonal therapy, and it is often triggered by intense physical or emotional stress, sympathomimetic drugs, childbirth and activities increasing shear stress of the coronary artery walls. Patients with SCAD usually present at the emergency department with chest discomfort, chest pain, and rapid heartbeat or fluttery. During the last decades, the most common problem of SCAD was the lack of awareness about this condition which has led to significant underdiagnosis and misdiagnosis. However, modern imaging techniques such as optical coherence tomography, intravascular ultrasound, coronary angiography or magnetic resonance imaging have contributed to the early diagnosis of the disease. Treatment of SCAD remains controversial, especially during the last years, where invasive techniques are being used more often and in more emergent cardiac syndromes. Although conservative treatment combining aspirin and beta-blocker remains the recommended strategy in most cases, revascularization could also be suggested as a method of treatment in specific indications, but with a higher risk of complications. The prognosis of SCAD is usually good and long-term mortality seems to be low in these patients. Follow-up should be performed on a regular basis.     

Pregnancy associated spontaneous coronary artery dissection: A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUNDPregnancy-associated spontaneous coronary artery dissection (PSCAD) is an important cause of chest pain and acute myocardial infarction in pregnant and postpartum women. Pregnancy is considered an isolated risk factor for spontaneous coronary artery dissection. The etiology, pathogenesis, and incidence of PSCAD are not known.CASE SUMMARYWe present a case of a 33-year-old postpartum female who presented with sudden onset chest pain and was diagnosed with spontaneous coronary artery dissection and needed urgent catheterization revealing left anterior descending coronary artery dissection. She underwent emergent coronary artery bypass graft surgery with good post-operative recovery.CONCLUSIONMost patients with PSCAD can be managed conservatively with medical management and have good outcomes. Patients with high-risk presentations benefit from the invasive approach. Coronary artery bypass graft may be required in select few patients based on angiography findings. Due to the risk of recurrent spontaneous coronary artery dissection, subsequent pregnancies are discouraged.     

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a relatively rare and unexplored type of coronary disease. Although atherosclerosis, hormonal changes during pregnancy and connective tissue disorders might represent a sufficiently convincing explanation for some patients with SCAD, the many remaining cases display only a weak relationship with these causes. While on one side the clinical heterogeneity of SCAD masks a full understanding of their underlying pathophysiologic process, on the other side paucity of data and misleading presentations hamper the quick diagnosis and optimal management of this condition. A definite diagnosis of SCAD can be significantly facilitated by endovascular imaging techniques. In fact, intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) overcome the limitations of coronary angiography providing detailed endovascular morphologic information. In contrast, optimal treatment strategies for SCAD still represent a burning controversial question. Herein, we review the published data examining possible causes and investigating the best therapy for SCAD in different clinical scenarios.     

Combined dissection of the right coronary artery and right coronary cusp during coronary angiography

Dissection of coronary arteries during diagnostic coronary angiography is infrequent; dissection of the coronary cusp is extremely rare. The combination of coronary artery and coronary cusp dissection has not been reported previously. A case of right coronary artery dissection and right coronary cusp dissection during diagnostic coronary angiography is described. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.