Spontaneous coronary artery dissection during cisplatin and capecitabine therapy

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection is a rare cardiovascular disease that can cause acute myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death. The mechanism of this pathology and the optimal treatment are not fully understood.

An acute myocardial infarction developed while a fifty five years old woman with a rectal adenocarcinoma was receiving a cisplatin and capecitabine therapy. Coronary angiography demonstrated a multivessel occlusion of coronary arteries.

The authors discuss several factors that may lead to the spontaneous coronary artery dissection including chemotherapy-induced vasospasm. Chemotherapy based on the cisplatin and capecitabine intake can cause a cardiotoxic effect.

Thus, spontaneous coronary artery dissection is a disease with an extremely complex etiololy, which does not have a special treatment guide. Management should be considered individually for each case.