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Spontaneous coronary artery dissection: case report and review of literature

Monodeep Biswas1, Arjinder Sethi, Stephen J Voyce

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine and Cardiology, Community Medical Center, Pennsylvania, USA ; The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education, Pennsylvania, USA.

Heart Views : the Official Journal of the Gulf Heart Association
|February 27, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare cause of heart attack, often affecting women postpartum. This case highlights SCAD presenting unusually as a stroke, emphasizing the need for prompt diagnosis.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Neurology
  • Vascular Medicine

Background:

  • Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is an uncommon cause of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and sudden cardiac death.
  • SCAD is most frequently observed in women during the peripartum period.
  • Associated conditions include autoimmune diseases, collagen vascular diseases, Marfan's syndrome, trauma, and intense exercise.

Observation:

  • This report details a unique case of SCAD that manifested initially as a stroke.
  • The patient's presentation deviated from the classic SCAD symptoms of chest pain.

Findings:

  • SCAD can present with neurological deficits, such as stroke, rather than typical cardiac symptoms.
  • Early recognition of SCAD, even with atypical presentations, is crucial for timely intervention.

Implications:

  • This case broadens the understanding of SCAD's diverse clinical manifestations.
  • Clinicians should consider SCAD in the differential diagnosis of stroke, particularly in at-risk populations.
  • Raising awareness of SCAD's varied presentations can improve patient outcomes and reduce mortality.

Keywords:
Arterycoronarydissection

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