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Coronary artery fistula presenting as unstable angina pectoris in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome

Serafettin Demir1, Ceyhun Yucel, Mucahit Tufenk

  • 1Adana State Hospital, Department of Cardiology, 01270 Adana, Turkey.

Case Reports in Medicine
|September 12, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) significantly elevates acute coronary syndrome risk. This case highlights APS-associated acute coronary syndrome in a patient with a rare coronary artery fistula.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Rheumatology
  • Vascular Medicine

Background:

  • Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoimmune disorder associated with a hypercoagulable state.
  • Cardiovascular manifestations are common in APS, with valvular disease being most frequent.
  • Patients with APS have a substantially increased risk of arterial and venous thrombosis, including acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report a rare case of acute coronary syndrome in an antiphospholipid syndrome patient.
  • To investigate the coexistence of coronary artery fistula in an APS patient presenting with ACS.
  • To emphasize the multifaceted cardiovascular risks in APS.

Main Methods:

  • Case report presentation.
  • Review of patient's clinical history, diagnostic workup, and treatment.
  • Literature review on APS, ACS, and coronary artery fistula.

Main Results:

  • The patient, diagnosed with APS, presented with acute coronary syndrome.
  • Diagnostic imaging revealed a coexisting coronary artery fistula.
  • This presentation underscores the complex cardiovascular pathology that can occur in APS.

Conclusions:

  • Antiphospholipid syndrome poses significant cardiovascular risks beyond typical thrombotic events.
  • Coronary artery fistula is a rare but possible finding in APS patients with ACS.
  • Vigilant cardiovascular assessment is crucial for patients with antiphospholipid syndrome.

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