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: 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.     

Assessment of spontaneous coronary artery dissection by intravascular ultrasound in a patient with unstable angina

We describe a case of spontaneous coronary artery dissection that gave rise to post infarction unstable angina. An ambiguous angiographic appearance was shown by intracoronary ultrasound to arise from an extensive coronary dissection. The dissection membrane separating true and false lumina and features to suggest sluggish flow and early thrombosis in the false lumen were observed. No increase in lumen calibre was evident on ultrasound after PTCA (probably a consequence of the relatively large ultrasound catheter blank), but coronary flow reserve measured with intracoronary Doppler did improve and the patient remained stable and free of angina following the procedure.     

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.     

Recurrent spontaneous coronary artery dissection: First case report in men with three episodes of spontaneous coronary dissection in separate vascular territories

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare cause of acute coronary syndrome. In the literature, more than 1,200 cases of SCAD have been reported, with a low rate of recurrent spontaneous coronary artery dissection (r‐SCAD) described in only 63 cases. Among these patients with r‐SCAD, just three cases had three separate episodes of dissection and all were in women. We report the first case of r‐SCAD in men, with three episodes of dissection in different coronary arteries and review the published literature on predisposing factors for r‐SCAD and its management. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

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.     

血管内超声表现不同的冠状动脉斑块临床特点比较

目的 采用血管内超声（IVUS）分析冠心病患者冠状动脉内斑块的临床特点。方法 入选2010年1月至2013年12月在沈阳军区总医院心内科住院并经冠状动脉造影证实的冠心病患者220例,根据IVUS斑块回声强弱分为3组：衰减斑块组（n＝42）,钙化斑块组（n＝63）和纤维斑块组（n＝115）。对此220例患者的基线资料和斑块特点进行比较分析。根据IVUS检查结果,确定需行经皮冠状动脉介入治疗（PCI）术的患者有140例（全部成功）,其中衰减斑块组26例（PCI比率62%）,钙化斑块组41例（PCI比率65%）、纤维斑块组73例（PCI比率63%）。对此140例患者的斑块特点、PCI术特点以及随访情况进行比较分析。结果 钙化斑块组患者年龄较其余两组大（P＜0.05）,总胆固醇（TC）和低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（LDL-C）均显著低于其余两组（P＜0.05）;衰减斑块组患者的既往心肌梗死或冠状动脉搭桥术（CABG）以及吸烟史均显著高于其余两组（P＜0.05）。钙化斑块组的最小管腔面积和病变血管直径显著低于其余两组（P＜0.05);与其他两组患者相比,衰减斑块组患者的斑块负荷较重、病变血管面积较大（P＜0.05）。在行PCI术的患者中：与其他两组患者相比,衰减斑块组患者的斑块负荷较重（P＜0.05）。行PCI术的各组患者在1年内发生死亡、心肌梗死和再次血运重建的概率间无统计学差异（P＞0.05）。结论 吸烟、既往心肌梗死或CABG史与衰减斑块的发生有关;与钙化斑块组及纤维斑块组相比,衰减斑块组具有较大的斑块负荷;PCI对IVUS证实的不稳定斑块具有较好的治疗效果。     

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.     

Intravascular ultrasound in the management of acute coronary artery dissection: A case report

Crossing total occlusions is frequently difficult. The guidewire may enter a false lumen, thereby preventing successful balloon dilatations. We present a case of an acute arterial dissection following attempted angioplasty of a totally occluded right coronary artery. With an intravascular ultrasound probe in the false lumen, we were able to visualize a second guidewire and direct its passage into the true arterial lumen. This allowed for successful balloon dilatation and stent deployment restoring vessel patency.     

Ultrasound guided ablation of pseudoaneurysm following coronary artery stent placement: A preliminary report

A femoral artery pseudoaneurysm in a 47 year old woman following coronary artery stent placement was treated with color-flow duplex ultrasound guided compression. This technique may be useful following stent placement because of the requirement for continued anticoagulation post-procedure. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) should be considered as a cause of the acute coronary syndrome in young patients with few apparent risk factors for coronary artery disease, in females in the peripartum period, and in patients who are at a higher risk for this condition. SCAD can also present as sudden death and cardiogenic shock. Several mechanisms have been described in the pathophysiology of this condition. Urgent coronary angiography is indicated if SCAD is suspected. Percutaneous coronary artery stenting and coronary artery bypass grafting are the main treatment strategies.     

Anomalous origin of left main coronary artery from the noncoronary sinus: An intravascular ultrasound observation

We report on a rare case of anomalous origin of left coronary artery from the noncoronary sinus of Valsalva. Intraaortic intravascular ultrasound study identified the origin of the left coronary artery and facilitated subsequent selective coronary angiography of the artery. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Diagn. 42:430–433, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Elevated homocysteine levels might be associated with coronary artery remodeling in patients with stable angina: an intravascular ultrasound study

BACKGROUND: The relationship between plasma biologic markers and coronary artery remodeling is unknown. Hypothesis: Plasma biologic markers are associated with coronary artery remodeling. METHODS: Preintervention intravascular ultrasound images were obtained in 44 patients with chronic stable angina. Plasma samples were collected 24 h before coronary intervention. The biologic markers included total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, lipoprotein(a) [LP(a)], C-reactive protein (CRP), and homocysteine. The remodeling index (RI) was defined as a ratio of the (lesion/proximal reference) external elastic membrane cross-sectional area. Positive remodeling was defined as an RI > 1.05, negative remodeling as an RI <0.95, and intermediate remodeling as an RI between 0.95 and 1.05. RESULTS: Total cholesterol level (r = 0.092, p = 0.557), LDL cholesterol level (r = 0.123, p = 0.426), triglyceride level (r = 0.020, p = 0.901), HDL cholesterol level (r = 0.042, p = 0.789), LP(a) level (r = 0.062, p = 0.729), and CRP level (r = 0.266, p = 0.089) did not significantly correlate with the RI. However, the plasma homocysteine level positively correlated with the RI (r = 0.398, p = 0.008). The plasma homocysteine level was significantly lower in the lesions with negative remodeling and higher in the lesions with positive remodeling (10.8 +/- 0.7 micromol/l in negative remodeling, 13.1 +/- 0.6 micromol/l in intermediate remodeling, and 18.1 +/- 2.8 micromol/l in positive remodeling, p = 0.021). CONCLUSIONS: Elevated homocysteine levels might be associated with coronary artery remodeling in patients with stable angina.     

Spontaneous rupture of a renal artery pseudoaneurysm in a hemodialysis patient: A case report

Rationale:Renal artery pseudoaneurysm is a rare vascular lesion usually caused by trauma or percutaneous urological procedures. Spontaneous rupture of pseudoaneurysms without predisposing events, especially in hemodialysis patients, has rarely been reported.Patient concerns:A 25-year-old man receiving maintenance hemodialysis visited the emergency room because of sudden severe right flank pain. He had no history of trauma or urological procedures except for a left renal biopsy to diagnose Alport syndrome 10 years prior.Diagnosis:Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed a right perirenal hematoma with pseudoaneurysms.Interventions:On renal angiography, multiple pseudoaneurysms were observed in the right renal artery branches and embolization was performed.Outcomes:Post-angiography showed no pseudoaneurysms. His abdominal pain improved, and he was discharged 2 weeks after embolization.Lessons:When maintenance dialysis patients complain of severe abdominal pain, spontaneous rupture of a renal pseudoaneurysm should be considered as a differential diagnosis, even if the patient has no history of trauma or previous urological procedures.     

Plaque characterization of atherosclerotic coronary arteries by intravascular ultrasound

Intravascular ultrasound provides cross-sectional images of arteries and enables accurate delineation of lumen dimensions and wall structure. Moreover, ultrasound characterization of atherosclerotic plaque subtypes may have important implications in determining the natural history and the clinical outcome of patients with coronary artery disease. The reliability of intravascular ultrasound to differentiate plaque morphology subtypes was studied in 60 coronary segments excised from 33 coronary arteries obtained from 17 patients at necropsy. Ultrasound was performed with a 25-MHz transducer mounted on the distal end of a rigid probe that was rotated manually inside the lumen artery. Plane film radiography was also performed to establish the presence of calcific deposits. A total of 82 histologic transverse sections corresponding to 82 ultrasound imaging sites were studied from the 60 coronary segments. Of the first 54 images, 36 were fibrous plaques and yielded dense homogenous echo reflections, 6 had discrete areas of lipid that were less echogenic and 12 had calcific deposits that cast echo-free shadows beyond areas of intense echo reflections. The predictive accuracy of evaluating plaque composition in the remaining 28 ultrasound imaging sites was 96%. Thus, anatomical structure of coronary arteries and composition of atherosclerotic lesions can be assessed accurately with intravascular ultrasound and may have potential for better understanding of the atherosclerotic process and provide guidance to interventional procedures.     

Spontaneous left main coronary artery dissection

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a very rare clinical condition. Physiopathology of SCAD is still mostly unclear. Clinical presentation of SCAD ranges from atypical symptoms to sudden cardiac death. The diagnosis of dissection is generally made by using conventional coronary angiography. Invasive or conservative treatment is reasonable.     

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection: Case report and evidence for a defect in collagen metabolism

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection is a rare disease witha higher prevalence in women, especially in the post-partumstate. In one case, we attempted to relate this pathology toa disorder in collagen metabolism. A 32-year-old woman presentedtwo episodes ofmyocardial infarction, 2 and 4 months after deliverywhich were shown to be due to two consecutive coronary arterydissections on coronary angiogram. Collagen metabolism was investigated in skin fibroblast culturesderived from the patient, and in control fibroblast cultures.After protein labelling in culture, total protein and collagensynthesis were determined. Quantification of procollagen synthesizedin cell cultures and their rate of conversion into collagenwere determined both in the culture media and a cell layer extractby DEAE cellulose chromatography. The results showed a reduced total collagen synthesis in thecultures of the patient in comparison with control cultures.The ratio between type I and III procollagen was not altered.The rate of conversion of procollagen into collagen was higherin the pathological cultures than in control cultures. Impairedcollagen synthesis due perhaps to a change in hormonal equilibriumin the post-partum state might therefore have been responsiblefor coronary artery dissection.     

Spontaneous plaque rupture and thrombus formation in the left main coronary artery documented by intravascular ultrasound

This case documents the finding of a spontaneous plaque rupture with thrombus formation in the left main coronary artery of a patient who presented with an infarction of the circumflex artery. This serendipitous observation supports the hypothesis that spontaneous plaque ruptures occur sporadically and do not necessarily lead to occlusion. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Diagn. 40:358–360, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection in young women

Spontaneous dissection of the coronary arteries is quite rare. It is usually a catastrophic event with fatal outcome. We report two interesting cases of spontaneous dissection whose presentations exemplify the variable course the disorder may take. The first is the only report to our knowledge associated with aerobic exercise; the second is the only reported attempt at treatment with intracoronary thrombolysis. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

A breastfeeding woman with spontaneous coronary artery dissection and possible takotsubo syndrome: A case report

Rationale:The relationship between spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) and takotsubo syndrome (TTS) remains unclear. Coexistence of SCAD and TTS has been reported in the literature. However, the relationship between these two diseases has not yet been elucidated.Patient concerns:A 36-year-old breastfeeding woman was brought to our hospital 52 days after cesarean section because of discomfort in her left arm and convulsions.Diagnoses:She was diagnosed of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The convulsions were attributed to lethal arrhythmia.Interventions:An immediate coronary angiography revealed that her left anterior descending artery (LAD) was Type 2a SCAD, but with no flow limitation. In addition, a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) revealed improvement in ST-elevation. We chose the conservative treatment according to the patient''s needs.Outcomes:Conservative treatment was unsuccessful. She developed another acute myocardial infarction requiring another percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) during hospitalization. From the course of hospitalization, we suspected the coexistence of SCAD and TTS.Lessons:When we treat patients with SCAD, we should consider the possibility of coexistence of TTS and confirm left ventricular wall motion. Patients with SCAD may require invasive treatment, hence, should be monitored for a while. An urgent strategy for managing patients with SCAD who require PCI should be established.