Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection: Chest Pain in a Young Woman

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Vascular Biology
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is an underdiagnosed cause of acute coronary syndrome, particularly in young women.
• Chest pain in young women warrants a broad differential diagnosis, including less common conditions like SCAD.

Observation:

• Two distinct cases of SCAD are presented.
• One case involved a patient presenting with ventricular fibrillation arrest secondary to SCAD.

Findings:

• SCAD should be considered in the differential diagnosis for chest pain in young women.
• Ventricular fibrillation arrest is a rare but potentially fatal consequence of SCAD.

Implications:

• Increased awareness of SCAD is crucial for timely diagnosis and management in young women.
• Understanding the diverse presentations of SCAD, including cardiac arrest, can improve patient outcomes.
• Further research into the etiology and management of SCAD is warranted.