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Spontaneous coronary artery dissection: a clinically oriented narrative review.
Quan Dang1, Sonya Burgess2,3, Peter J Psaltis4,5,6
1Westmead Applied Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
NPJ Cardiovascular Health
|March 3, 2026
Summary
Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a key cause of acute coronary syndromes (ACS), particularly in young women. Further research is needed due to limited clinical trial data on this complex condition.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a significant cause of acute coronary syndromes (ACS).
- SCAD disproportionately affects younger female patients and is linked to pregnancy and postpartum states.
- Despite increased research, SCAD remains poorly understood with limited high-quality clinical trial evidence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of SCAD.
- To discuss SCAD's pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management.
- To identify critical areas for future research in SCAD.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of SCAD-focused research.
- Synthesis of existing data on SCAD pathophysiology and clinical aspects.
- Identification of knowledge gaps and future research directions.
Main Results:
- SCAD is an under-recognized cause of ACS with specific demographic associations.
- Current understanding is limited by a lack of robust clinical trial data.
- Evidence synthesis highlights the need for further investigation into SCAD mechanisms and treatment.
Conclusions:
- SCAD requires further dedicated research to improve patient outcomes.
- Future studies should focus on randomized controlled trials to guide management.
- Enhanced understanding of SCAD pathophysiology is crucial for developing targeted therapies.
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