Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 20, 2026

A TNBS-Induced Rodent Model to Study the Pathogenic Role of Mechanical Stress in Crohn's Disease
05:08

A TNBS-Induced Rodent Model to Study the Pathogenic Role of Mechanical Stress in Crohn's Disease

Published on: March 1, 2022

Active inflammatory bowel disease and coronary artery dissection

M Srinivas1, P Basumani, R Muthusamy

  • 1Department of Gastroenterology, Rotherham District General Hospital, Moorgate Road, Rotherham S60 2UD, UK. drsrinivasm@hotmail.com

Postgraduate Medical Journal
|January 11, 2005
PubMed

Insights

A young woman experienced acute myocardial infarction from spontaneous coronary artery dissection during a Crohn's disease flare-up. This case highlights a rare complication potentially linked to inflammatory bowel disease.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Vascular Medicine

Background:

  • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn's disease, is associated with various extraintestinal manifestations.
  • Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare but serious condition, typically affecting younger women.

Observation:

  • A young woman with a Crohn's disease flare-up presented with an acute myocardial infarction.
  • Coronary angiography revealed spontaneous dissection of the left anterior descending coronary artery.

Findings:

  • The patient's presentation suggests a potential link between active Crohn's disease and SCAD.
  • Review of existing literature indicates SCAD is an uncommon complication in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the importance of considering cardiovascular complications in IBD patients, especially during disease flares.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the pathogenic mechanisms connecting inflammatory bowel disease and spontaneous coronary artery dissection.

Related Concept Videos

Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis01:27

Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Ulcerative Colitis

Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, encompasses a group of disorders characterized by chronic inflammation or ulceration of the gastrointestinal tract.
Risk Factors
The exact cause of IBD remains unclear, although it is believed to be due to a mix of genetic, environmental, microbial, and immune factors. Genetic factors are significant in determining susceptibility to IBD, with family history being a critical risk factor. Individuals with a first-degree relative who has IBD are at...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease01:30

Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Crohn's Disease

Introduction
Inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBD, refers to a collection of disorders that lead to persistent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The two types of IBD are ulcerative colitis, which impacts the colon, and Crohn's disease, which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal segment.
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic, systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that predominantly affects the gastrointestinal tract. It is marked by transmural...
Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction01:17

Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction

Chronic bowel diseases are a group of long-term conditions affecting the digestive tract, characterized by inflammation and damage to the gut lining. These conditions primarily include irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Introduction01:26

Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Introduction

Inflammatory bowel disease is a group of chronic disorders marked by recurrent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract due to an abnormal immune response against gut microflora. This leads to tissue damage. The two main forms are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.Crohn’s DiseaseCrohn’s disease is a relapsing inflammatory disorder that can affect any part of the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus. It involves all layers of the bowel wall (transmural) and shows “skip lesions” in which...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations01:20

Inflammatory Bowel Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) encompasses two major chronic disorders—ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease—each characterized by relapsing episodes of gastrointestinal inflammation. Although they share certain clinical features, their patterns of involvement and manifestations differ in ways that aid diagnosis and guide management.Ulcerative ColitisUlcerative colitis is limited to the colon and rectum and involves continuous inflammation of the mucosal layer. The disease course is marked...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Ulcerative Colitis01:20

Inflammatory Bowel Disease II: Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the colon characterized by continuous mucosal inflammation that typically begins in the rectum and extends proximally in a uniform pattern. Its pathogenesis involves a complex interplay of genetic predisposition, immune dysregulation, and environmental influences. These factors converge to impair the colon’s epithelial defenses and promote an exaggerated inflammatory response against luminal contents.Breakdown of the Mucosal BarrierA...