Recurrent spontaneous coronary artery dissection with transient left ventricular systolic dysfunction

Pregnancy-related Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection: Two Case Reports and a Comprehensive Review of Literature

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection is a rare cause of acute coronary syndrome, particularly seen in women during pregnancy or in the puerperium. It has a high acute phase mortality. The etiology is uncertain. Hormonal changes during pregnancy, hemodynamic stress and changes in the autoimmune status have been considered as possible etiological factors. A timely diagnosis and institution of appropriate treatment is important for a successful outcome. There is no consensus of opinion for optimal treatment. Conservative management, coronary artery bypass graft surgery, and percutaneous coronary intervention, all have been described in the literature as possible therapeutic options. Spontaneous coronary artery dissection should be considered as a differential in any young woman presenting with chest pain associated with pregnancy. We report two cases of pregnancy-associated spontaneous coronary artery dissection, both successfully managed, along with a comprehensive review of the previously published literature.

Ventricular tachycardia in a man with spontaneous coronary artery dissection

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare cause of acute ischemic coronary events. It is more prevalent in young women, particularly in the peripartum period. In men it is an extremely rare cause. We described the clinical course of a patient, man, presenting pain chest and ventricular malignant arrhythmias. Four days after admission the patient underwent coronary angiography, showing a large SCAD. After this, he had undergone coronary artery bypass surgery. He presented an angiography and clinical resolution and he was still asymptomatic at a 6-month clinical follow up. Pathophysiologic aspects and treatment options of spontaneous coronary artery dissection are discussed.