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Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a common cause of myocardial infarction in young and middle-aged women. Patients with SCAD present rarely with hemodynamic collapse and cardiogenic shock, requiring immediate resuscitation and mechanical circulatory support. Percutaneous mechanical circulatory support may serve as a bridge to recovery, decision or heart transplantation. We present a case of a young woman with SCAD of the left main coronary artery, presenting with ST-elevation myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest and cardiogenic shock. She was stabilized emergently with Impella and early escalation with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECPELLA) at a non-surgical community hospital. Despite revascularization with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), her left ventricular recovery was poor, and ultimately required cardiac transplantation on day 5 of her presentation. • Mechanical circulatory support is key to stabilize patients with refractory cardiogenic shock in order to perform revascularization • Access to mechanical circulatory support in the community and timely escalation of mechanical circulatory support are fundamental to achieve favorable outcomes in cardiogenic shock. • Early evaluation by advanced heart failure team in a tertiary experienced center is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• SCAD is a condition of myocardial infarction rarely associated with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. • Ehlers-Danlos-associated SCAD can be complicated by coronary artery rupture and hemopericardium. • Ehlers-Danlos-associated SCAD has a poor prognosis (about 30% mortality). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Recanalized thrombus (RCT) of coronary arteries is frequently unrecognized in interventional cardiology practice. Intravascular imaging conclusively establishes its diagnosis, which otherwise is often misdiagnosed as fresh thrombus, spontaneous coronary artery dissection, or severe calcification based on angiography, alone. We hereby report our experience of 10 RCT patients, who had the intravascular imaging-guided diagnosis, followed by the successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).Methods: It was a retrospective analysis of 10 patients, who had angiographic haziness of the target lesion during PCI, which were found to be RCT on intravascular imaging. Either optical coherence tomography (OCT) or intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) was performed to characterize RCT in 9 and 1 patient, respectively.Results: The mean age was 53 ± 13.1 years, comprising 9 men and 1 woman. Six patients had acute coronary syndrome, while four had chronic stable angina. Coronary angiography revealed ≥ 70% angiographic stenosis, with intracoronary haziness/filling defects which were linear, spiral or braided in appearance. OCT findings in 9 patients include signal-rich, high backscattered septa dividing the lumen into multiple small cavities communicating with each other, giving a "Swiss cheese" or "honeycomb" appearance. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) findings in one patient showed multiple cavities filled with blood speckling consistent with recanalized thrombus. All patients underwent successful PCI with image-guided optimization.Conclusion: With the increasing use of intravascular imaging during PCI, RCT is frequently identified. OCT remains the investigation of choice to differentiate it from other similar entities on angiography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Spontaneous coronary artery dissection is a rare but interesting cause of acute coronary syndrome • Invasive angiography (with intracoronary imaging-IVUS and OCT) is the gold standard for diagnosis • Coronary CTA is underutilized but helpful in selective subsets of patients • SCAD is more prevalent in women and is associated with hormonal factors, stressors and connective tissue disorders • Unique features and diverse presentations make SCAD challenging to diagnose and manage • SCAD is linked to PTSD and can have significant socioeconomic consequences [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) and takotsubo syndrome (TS) are two cardiovascular syndromes with predilection for women. Both conditions may be preceded by an emotional stress or, for the affected individual, an unusual severe physical exercise. "Restitution ad integrum" occurs in most cases suffering from SCAD or TS with complete angiographic resolution of the dissected vessel and left ventricular dysfunction respectively. Recently, many cases, which were initially diagnosed as TS because of typical left ventricular ballooning pattern showed to have SCAD, have been reported; these cases were deemed to be "SCAD misdiagnosed as TS". The left ventricular wall motion abnormality has been attributed to the ischemia caused by SCAD-affected coronary vessel especially in the left anterior descending artery (LAD) with "wrap-around course". However, the left ventricular ballooning pattern have occurred in patients with SCAD in non-long-wrap-around LAD and SCAD in other coronary branches where coronary ischemia on its own cannot explain the left ventricular ballooning. In this review, sufficient data supporting the evidence for the possibility of coexistence of SCAD and TS is provided. Misdiagnosis of the association of the two conditions may result in mismanagement of the patient with undesirable consequences. Furthermore, the causal links between SCAD and TS is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 60-year old woman with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, underwent coronary angiogram combined with optical coherence tomography (OCT) revealing a long dissection in the right coronary artery. The patient experienced peri-procedural chest pain, the electrocardiogram showed ST-segment elevations, and compromised coronary blood flow, why mechanical revascularization with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was indicated. At 1-month follow-up, OCT revealed early, competent vascular healing, and a distal stenosis was treated with PCI. The patient has been asymptomatic since the procedure for three years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This is one of the largest retrospective studies evaluating impact of sex on SCAD outcomes. • Males with SCAD tend to be older with higher atherosclerotic risk factors. • Both sexes have comparable clinical outcomes and resource utilization. • Non-specific chest pain and SCAD recurrence were top reasons for readmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is an uncommon but important cause of acute coronary syndrome. The diagnosis of SCAD by an angiogram alone can be challenging and the increasing use of intracoronary imaging has proven an invaluable diagnostic adjunct in this regard. The appropriate initial management of SCAD has been a matter of significant debate. Owing to frequent spontaneous healing of coronary dissection and a higher risk of complications with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the setting of SCAD, a default approach of mechanical revascularization is not recommended. However in the presence of vessel occlusion and on-going myocardial infarction PCI is mandated. Bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVS) offer potential advantages over the conventional stents in the setting of SCAD. We describe a state-of-the-art approach to the acute treatment of SCAD causing STEMI, utilizing intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), optical coherence tomography (OCT) and BVS and discuss management strategies for the modern era. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is an under-recognised presentation of acute coronary syndrome. A high index of suspicion is essential. If diagnostic doubt is high, intracoronary imaging, performed carefully, can be useful, although it can result in worsening of the clinical condition. The current report exemplifies the complexity of diagnosis and management of SCAD in a patient with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and non-diagnostic angiography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Spontaneous coronary artery dissections (SCAD) are often difficult to diagnose and manage. Intravascular imaging such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) improves diagnosis and may assist in management. Recent data suggest that percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) in in SCAD are associated with poor outcomes. This report provides striking OCT images of potential complications associated with PCI in SCAD, as well as demonstrates medium term OCT data in residual hematoma healing and stent coverage in SCAD. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare cause of acute coronary syndrome occurring predominantly in young women without any cardiovascular risk factors, especially during the peripartum and early postpartum period. Here, we report a case of a 28-year-old pregnant woman who was found to have an isolated distal SCAD of the left anterior descending artery (LAD). Coronary angiography was complicated by extensive LAD and circumflex arteries dissection, requiring an emergency coronary artery bypass grafting associated with ventricular assist device implantation and underlying the extreme fragility of coronary arteries in pregnant women. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Spontaneous coronary artery dissection is an unusual and a rare cause of acute coronary syndrome and sudden death with multiple predisposing factors. Prompt recognition is crucial for appropriate patient management, but specific guidelines for optimal treatment are lacking. We report four cases of women with spontaneous coronary artery dissection revealed by ST-segment elevation, three in women during postpartum and one case associated with a Marfan syndrome. Our cases span the different therapeutic options from medical treatment, stenting, to coronary artery bypass graft surgery. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]