Spontaneous coronary artery dissection and myopericarditis

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Vascular Medicine
• Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

• Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD) is a critical cause of acute coronary syndrome, disproportionately affecting young women often without traditional cardiovascular risk factors.
• Coronary angiography remains the gold standard for SCAD diagnosis.
• Treatment strategies for SCAD range from conservative management to revascularization procedures like percutaneous coronary intervention or bypass grafting.

Observation:

• A 26-year-old female with a history of myopericarditis presented with symptoms of an inferior ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).
• Diagnostic workup, including coronary angiography, revealed a spontaneous dissection of the right coronary artery.

Findings:

• The patient's presentation of STEMI was attributed to spontaneous right coronary artery dissection.
• This case highlights a less common etiology of myocardial infarction in a young female population.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of considering SCAD in young women presenting with acute coronary syndromes, even in the absence of typical risk factors.
• Accurate and timely diagnosis of SCAD is crucial for appropriate management and improved patient outcomes.
• Further research into the specific triggers and optimal management of SCAD in this demographic is warranted.