Successful Coronary Flow Restoration by Stent-Free Strategy Using the Pull-Back Method of Cutting Balloon in Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection

An analysis of published cases of cutting balloon use in spontaneous coronary artery dissection

Introduction

SCAD involves a sudden tear or separation within the layers of the coronary artery wall, resulting in blood flow obstruction and subsequent myocardial ischemia.

Materials and methods

A comprehensive literature search was conducted to identify relevant published cases of cutting balloon use in patients diagnosed with spontaneous coronary artery dissection. Electronic databases including PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar were systematically searched from inception until the present using terms "cutting balloon," "SCAD," "acute coronary syndrome," "intramural hematoma," and "angioplasty."

Results

A total of 32 published cases of cutting balloon use in spontaneous coronary artery dissection were analyzed in this study. The majority of the patients included in the analysis were female without prior history of cardiovascular disease. The median age of the SCAD population was approximately 46 years. The most frequently affected artery in SCAD cases was the Left Anterior Descending artery. Intravascular ultrasound was utilized more frequently than other modalities of adjunctive imaging techniques. The most frequent complication was the distal propagation of hematoma. Despite the successful dilation achieved with the cutting balloon, in some cases stenting was required to provide additional support.

Conclusion

The results of this analysis demonstrate that cutting balloon use in SCAD cases yields favorable outcomes.

The Use of Cutting Balloons in Published Cases of Acute Coronary Syndrome Caused by Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a non-traumatic, non-atherosclerotic layering of the coronary artery wall due to the presence of a subintimal hematoma or an intimal tear with the creation of a false lumen that compresses the true lumen and restricts or obstructs the flow. Patients with SCAD and preserved coronary flow are treated conservatively according to the general recommendations. However, percutaneous coronary intervention should be considered in patients with artery occlusion and/or refractory ischemia. Stenting is associated with increased risks comprising stenting in the false lumen, in-stent thrombosis, and/or stent malappositon as well as antegrade or retrograde propagation of the intramural hematoma. Intracoronary imaging is of great value both for the diagnosis and treatment of SCAD. There is rising scrutiny on the use of cutting balloons in acute coronary syndrome caused by SCAD. The idea of using cutting balloons is to fenestrate the intima and drain the intramural hematoma. Our review presents an analysis of 17 published cases of cutting balloon (CB) use in SCAD. What is encouraging is that of the 12 published cases, in 11 Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) 3 flow was established with this technique, and TIMI 2 flow in one, without subsequent stent implantation. Four patients received a stent after the CB use, while one patient underwent CB angioplasty after hematoma propagation caused by stent implantation. In all cases, patients were asymptomatic at follow-up, with TIMI 3 flow.

Modern aspects of diagnosis and treatment of patients with spontaneous coronary artery dissection

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is one of the rarest causes of acute coronary syndrome. SCAD is most common in women <60 years of age (≥90% of cases) compared with men (10-12%). The rapid development of technologies used in interventional cardiology has made it possible to improve diagnostics and understand the pathogenesis. The management strategy in patients with SCAD is debatable and differs significantly from approaches to coronary atherosclerosis treatment. The review presents the results of recent studies. The angiographic classification of SCAD, the diagnostic algorithm and the choice of optimal treatment depending on clinical manifestations are also described.

Unusual interventional treatment of spontaneous coronary artery dissection without stent implantation: a case series

Background

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a unique cause of myocardial infarction, and optimal treatment should be selected according to the ischaemic condition. Patients with ongoing ischaemia or haemodynamic instability may require revascularization. Cutting balloon (CB) angioplasty has been acknowledged as an option for revascularization. However, few observations of the coronary artery conditions after CB angioplasty in SCAD patients have been reported. Here, we demonstrate two cases in which we evaluated the angiographic morphology of targeted coronary arteries in the chronic phase after CB angioplasty.

Case summary

Patient 1 was a 46-year-old woman who presented at our hospital with chest pain. Electrocardiography suggested acute coronary syndrome and coronary angiography was performed. The coronary angiography and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) examinations revealed SCAD in the left anterior descending artery (LAD). Revascularization with CB angioplasty was successful. Follow-up coronary angiography 15 months after the angioplasty showed no visible stenosis in the LAD. Accordingly, the patient no longer needed to antiplatelet therapy. Patient 2 was a 50-year-old woman who was transported to our hospital for ventricular tachycardia. Coronary angiography and IVUS revealed SCAD in the right coronary artery. Coronary flow was restored by CB angioplasty. Follow-up contrast-enhanced computed tomography angiography 36 months after angioplasty showed a healed appearance. Thus, she was able to discontinue antiplatelet therapy.

Discussion

Cutting balloon angioplasty may be a possible method to treat SCAD.

Successful Treatment of Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection With Cutting Balloon Angioplasty

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare but serious condition that requires immediate attention. It has a similar presentation to acute coronary syndrome in terms of chest pain, electrocardiogram changes, and an increase in troponins, and is considered to be a significant cause of myocardial infarction. Coronary angiography is needed to confirm the diagnosis, and subsequent repair should be pursued when needed. We describe a case of SCAD in a 72-year-old female treated using the cutting balloon angioplasty technique to create communication between the true and false lumens.