Spontaneous coronary artery dissection causing myocardial infarction in an 18-year-old man: A case report

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Vascular Biology
• Internal Medicine

Background:

• Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is an infrequent cause of myocardial infarction, predominantly affecting young, healthy individuals.
• SCAD is more commonly diagnosed in women, with asymptomatic presentations in men being exceptionally rare.
• The etiology of SCAD remains largely unknown, though certain correlations have been identified.

Observation:

• This report presents a unique case of an 18-year-old male experiencing an asymptomatic myocardial infarction.
• The infarction was attributed to a spontaneous dissection of the left anterior descending coronary artery.
• The patient's presentation challenges the typical demographic profile observed in SCAD cases.

Findings:

• The case underscores the possibility of SCAD presenting asymptomatically in young males.
• It highlights the left anterior descending artery as a potential site for spontaneous dissection.
• The absence of established treatment guidelines for SCAD is noted.

Implications:

• This case emphasizes the importance of considering SCAD in the differential diagnosis of myocardial infarction, even in young men.
• It suggests that SCAD management requires a personalized approach, adapting to individual patient conditions.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate SCAD's pathophysiology and develop specific treatment protocols.