Postpartum spontaneous coronary dissection presenting with ventricular fibrillation

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Obstetrics
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare cause of acute coronary syndromes.
• A significant proportion of SCAD cases occur in the postpartum period.
• Ventricular fibrillation is an uncommon presentation of SCAD.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report the first documented case of survival from ventricular fibrillation arrest in a postpartum patient with SCAD.
• To emphasize the importance of considering SCAD in postpartum women presenting with acute coronary syndromes and ventricular fibrillation.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a 32-year-old woman presenting 3 days postpartum with chest pain and ischemic changes.
• Diagnosis of left anterior descending coronary artery dissection via cardiac catheterization.
• Intervention with 6 stents to restore coronary blood flow.

Main Results:

• The patient experienced ventricular fibrillation arrest, a rare complication of SCAD.
• Successful stenting restored blood flow to the dissected coronary artery.
• The patient survived the critical event.

Conclusions:

• This case represents the first reported survival after ventricular fibrillation arrest secondary to SCAD in the postpartum period.
• Highlights the critical association between SCAD, the postpartum state, and ventricular fibrillation.
• Underscores the necessity for prompt recognition and management of SCAD in this high-risk demographic.