Spontaneous coronary artery dissection and pulmonary thromboembolism: a case report

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Vascular Medicine
• Pulmonary Medicine

Background:

• Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is an uncommon cause of acute coronary syndrome (ACS).
• SCAD typically presents in three patient cohorts: those with underlying coronary atherosclerosis, peripartal women, and an idiopathic group.
• The association of SCAD with other medical conditions is not fully elucidated.

Observation:

• This report details an unusual case of SCAD occurring concurrently with pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE).
• The co-occurrence of SCAD and PTE is rarely documented in medical literature.
• This observation highlights a potential, albeit uncommon, link between these two distinct cardiovascular and pulmonary events.

Findings:

• The study identifies a rare co-presentation of SCAD and PTE.
• This case expands the known spectrum of conditions associated with SCAD.
• Further investigation may be warranted to understand the potential pathophysiological mechanisms linking SCAD and PTE.

Implications:

• Recognizing the association between SCAD and PTE is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management.
• Clinicians should consider pulmonary embolism in patients presenting with SCAD, especially if risk factors are present.
• This finding may prompt further research into shared risk factors or pathophysiological pathways between SCAD and PTE.