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Case report: spontaneous coronary artery dissection
R Parry1, T MacConnell, P Wilde
1Department of Radiology, Bristol Royal Infirmary.
Insights
Spontaneous coronary artery dissection, a rare cause of heart disease, is usually fatal and affects young women. This case highlights a long dissection flap in a male patient with mild symptoms, offering new insights into this condition.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Vascular Biology
- Medical Case Reports
Background:
- Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is an uncommon cause of ischemic heart disease.
- SCAD predominantly affects young women and often carries a high mortality rate.
Observation:
- This report details an unusual case of SCAD in a male patient.
- The patient presented with minimal symptoms despite a diagnosed very long dissection flap.
Findings:
- Coronary angiography revealed an extensive dissection flap, which is atypical for SCAD presentations.
- The case challenges typical demographic and severity associations with SCAD.
Implications:
- Understanding SCAD pathogenesis in diverse populations is crucial.
- Further research is needed to clarify the prognosis and management strategies for SCAD, particularly in male patients.
Abstract:
Spontaneous coronary artery dissection is a rare cause of ischaemic heart disease occurring most commonly in young women. It is frequently fatal. Our case is unusual in that a very long dissection flap was diagnosed by coronary angiography in a male patient who presented with only minor symptoms. We discuss the pathogenesis of spontaneous dissection and the prognosis for this group of patients.