Spontaneous coronary artery rupture treated on a beating heart

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Cardiovascular Surgery
• Medical Case Reports

Background:

• Primary spontaneous coronary artery rupture (SCAR) is a rare condition.
• SCAR can lead to life-threatening hemopericardium and cardiac tamponade.
• Prompt recognition and intervention are crucial for patient survival.

Observation:

• A case of primary SCAR without underlying conditions was reported.
• The patient presented with acute hemopericardium and cardiac tamponade.
• The rupture was identified as the cause of the acute symptoms.

Findings:

• The case demonstrated successful treatment of primary SCAR.
• The intervention was performed on a beating heart, avoiding cardiopulmonary bypass.
• This represents a novel surgical approach for SCAR management.

Implications:

• This case highlights a potentially less invasive treatment option for SCAR.
• Beating-heart surgery may be a viable alternative to traditional cardiopulmonary bypass in select SCAR cases.
• Further research may explore the broader applicability of this technique.