Spontaneous coronary artery dissection: an uncommon problem with a common presentation

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Vascular Medicine
• Medical Case Reports

Background:

• Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is an uncommon condition.
• SCAD is most frequently observed in healthy peripartum women without traditional atherosclerosis risk factors.
• The etiology and patient demographic for SCAD are not fully understood.

Observation:

• An elderly male patient with hypertension presented with unstable angina.
• The patient exhibited impaired left ventricular function.
• Coronary angiography confirmed dissection in the left anterior descending and circumflex arteries.

Findings:

• This case demonstrates SCAD in an elderly male patient with underlying atherosclerosis.
• Spontaneous coronary artery dissection can manifest as an acute coronary syndrome in patients with atherosclerotic disease.
• The presentation challenges the typical demographic profile previously associated with SCAD.

Implications:

• SCAD should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute coronary syndromes, even in older patients with cardiovascular risk factors.
• This case broadens the understanding of SCAD's potential occurrence in diverse patient populations.
• Further research is warranted to explore the role of atherosclerosis in SCAD pathogenesis.