Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection in a Young Man
Stella Pak1, Edinen Asuka2, Anastasia Postoev3
1Department of Medicine, Orange Regional Medical Center, Middletown, NY, USA.
Journal of Medical Cases
|August 26, 2021
Summary
Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) typically affects young women. This case highlights SCAD in a young man, emphasizing its potential as a diagnosis for acute chest pain in this demographic.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a tear in a coronary artery, often affecting younger women, particularly during pregnancy.
- It leads to intramural hematoma, compressing the artery and potentially causing acute coronary syndromes.
Observation:
- A 32-year-old man presented with symptoms suggestive of acute chest pain.
- Angiography revealed SCAD affecting the left anterior descending coronary artery.
Findings:
- The patient's clinical presentation was discordant with the angiographic findings of SCAD.
- SCAD, though rare in men, can occur and present atypically.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering SCAD in the differential diagnosis of acute chest pain, even in young men.
- Clinicians should be aware of SCAD as a potential cause of myocardial infarction in this population, irrespective of typical demographic profiles.
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