Cardiac Arrest With Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection in a Young Female
Pabitra Adhikari1, Osama Elkhider1, Harvey Friedman2
1Internal Medicine, AMITA Health Saint Francis Hospital, Evanston, USA.
Cureus
|March 3, 2022
Insights
Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare cause of chest pain, often missed. This case highlights SCAD
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Vascular Biology
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is an uncommon yet critical condition.
- SCAD presents with diverse clinical symptoms, necessitating a high index of suspicion for accurate diagnosis.
- Early recognition is vital for timely intervention and improved patient outcomes.
Observation:
- A case report detailing a young female patient experiencing SCAD.
- Initial symptoms included chest pain and syncope.
- The condition rapidly progressed to cardiac arrest.
Findings:
- The patient's presentation underscores the unpredictable and severe nature of SCAD.
- Diagnostic challenges associated with SCAD are highlighted by the initial non-specific symptoms.
- The rapid deterioration to cardiac arrest emphasizes the acute risk associated with SCAD.
Implications:
- This case emphasizes the importance of considering SCAD in young patients with chest pain, even with atypical presentations.
- Increased awareness and diagnostic vigilance for SCAD are crucial among healthcare professionals.
- Further research into SCAD pathogenesis and management strategies is warranted to improve patient survival and reduce long-term morbidity.
Abstract:
Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare condition that has variable clinical presentations requiring a very high index of suspicion for diagnosis. We present here a case of a young female with SCAD who initially presented with chest pain and syncope, with progression to cardiac arrest.
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