Multimodality Imaging Approach to Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Vascular Biology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD) is a non-atherosclerotic arterial disease.
• It typically affects middle-aged women, often during pregnancy, and is linked to few traditional cardiovascular risk factors.
• The pathophysiology of SCAD remains incompletely understood due to its low incidence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current knowledge on SCAD.
• To detail its demographic and clinical characteristics.
• To focus on diagnostic algorithms and multimodality imaging techniques for SCAD management and outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of SCAD.
• Analysis of diagnostic approaches including coronary angiography, intravascular ultrasound, and optical coherence tomography.
• Examination of clinical management strategies and patient outcomes.

Main Results:

• SCAD presents as an acute coronary syndrome, with symptoms like chest pain and dyspnea.
• Coronary angiography is the primary diagnostic tool, with advanced imaging aiding uncertain cases.
• Management and outcomes vary, necessitating a focused review of current data.

Conclusions:

• SCAD requires specific diagnostic and management strategies distinct from typical atherosclerotic coronary artery disease.
• Multimodality imaging plays a crucial role in accurate SCAD diagnosis.
• Further research is needed to fully elucidate SCAD pathophysiology and optimize patient care.