Spontaneous coronary artery dissection and takotsubo syndrome: The chicken or the egg causality dilemma

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) including spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) has been reported to trigger its own clinical twin takotsubo syndrome (TS). The pathogenetic association between SCAD and TS remains to be elucidated. The two diseases afflict predominantly women and both conditions may be triggered by an emotional stress factor and an unusual extreme physical exercise. Herein, we describe a case of 54-year-old woman presenting with ACS caused by an obtuso-marginal SCAD. Concurrently, the patient had typical clinical features and course of mid-apical pattern of TS. The causal link between the two conditions is discussed. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.