Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection: A Review of Epidemiology, Pathophysiology and Principles of Management

Curr Probl Cardiol. 2023 Jul;48(7):101682. doi: 10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2023.101682. Epub 2023 Mar 7.

Abstract

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a sudden rupture of coronary artery wall leading to false lumen and intramural hematoma formation. It commonly occurs in young and middle-aged women lacking typical cardiovascular risk factors. Fibromuscular dysplasia and pregnancy are strongly associated with SCAD. To date, the "inside-out" and "outside-in" are the 2 proposed hypothesis for the pathogenesis of SCAD. Coronary angiography is the gold standard and first line diagnostic test. Three types of SCAD have been described according to coronary angiogram. Intracoronary imaging modalities are reserved for patients with ambiguous diagnosis or to guide percutaneous coronary intervention view the increased risk of secondary iatrogenic dissection. The management of SCAD includes conservative approach, coronary revascularization strategies accounting for percutaneous coronary intervention and coronary artery bypass graft, and long-term follow-up. The overall prognosis of patients with SCAD is favorable marked by a spontaneous healing in a large proportion of cases.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Coronary Angiography / methods
  • Coronary Artery Bypass / adverse effects
  • Coronary Vessels* / diagnostic imaging
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Pregnancy
  • Prognosis
  • Risk Factors
  • Vascular Diseases* / diagnosis
  • Vascular Diseases* / epidemiology
  • Vascular Diseases* / etiology

Supplementary concepts

  • Coronary Artery Dissection, Spontaneous