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Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection in a Male Patient With Fibromuscular Dysplasia
Artur Schneider1, S Michael Gharacholou2
1Department of Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida.
Insights
Spontaneous coronary artery dissection, a rare cause of heart attack in men, was diagnosed in a male patient with fibromuscular dysplasia. Early recognition and treatment led to significant recovery.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Vascular Medicine
Background:
- Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is an uncommon cause of acute coronary syndrome.
- While predominantly affecting women, SCAD can occur in men.
Observation:
- A male patient experienced cardiac arrest due to ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction caused by SCAD.
- Further imaging revealed fibromuscular dysplasia in other arteries.
Findings:
- The patient received guideline-directed medical therapy and cardiac rehabilitation.
- Significant clinical improvement was observed post-intervention.
Implications:
- Increased awareness and improved imaging enhance SCAD diagnosis in both sexes.
- Screening for arteriopathies is crucial for unclear acute coronary syndrome cases.
Abstract:
A male patient presented with cardiac arrest attributed to anterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction from type 1 spontaneous coronary artery dissection. Subsequent imaging confirmed fibromuscular dysplasia in noncoronary arterial segments. The patient was started on guideline-directed medical therapy and referred to cardiac rehabilitation, showing substantial improvements in clinical status. With greater awareness and advancements in imaging, spontaneous coronary artery dissection has been more frequently recognized, and although as many as 81% to 92% of all cases occur in female patients, it can be seen among men, as well. Adjunctive imaging for arteriopathies may help establish the diagnosis for equivocal causes of acute coronary syndrome in women and men.
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