Long-Term Follow-Up of Pediatric Patients After Congenital Coronary Artery Fistula Closure.

The surgical closure of congenital coronary artery fistulas (CAF) is associated with excellent immediate outcomes. Few studies have investigated the long-term prognosis in patients who have undergone surgery for the closure of CAF or differentiated among types of CAF or types of surgical procedures. In this study, we performed clinical examinations and computed tomography angiography (CTA) to characterize outcomes after CAF closure in pediatric patients. The medical records of 79 pediatric patients who underwent surgical closure of CAF were retrospectively reviewed. The median age of the patients included in the study at the time of surgery was 3.4 years (range 0.2 to 15.3 years). The patients had been followed up for 11 years (range 1 to 17 years) with electrocardiography, echocardiography, and coronary CTA. There were 67 medium-to-large CAF and 12 small CAF. Twenty-six (32.9%) CAF arose from the branch coronary artery (proximal type); the others arose from the parent coronary artery (distal type). The surgical procedure included endocardial closure in 16 cases, epicardial distal ligation in 51 cases, epicardial proximal and distal ligation in 12 cases. There was no instance of perioperative death among the cases included in the study. Twenty-eight patients were treated with antiplatelet medication postoperatively. No patient required re-operation during the follow-up period. Coronary thrombi were detected in 27 patients (34.2%). There was no instance of myocardial ischemia related to thrombosis. Among the patients with thrombosis, 26 had medium-to-large CAF (96.3%), and 23 had distal-type CAF (85.2%). Average age at surgery was higher among the patients with thrombosis than among the patients without thrombosis (7.4 years vs. 3.3 years, t = 5.509, P = 0.000). Among the patients with distal-type CAF, thrombosis was more common among the patients treated with ligation than treated with endocardial closure (41.5% vs. 16.7%, χ2 = 3.742, P = 0.043). There was no difference in risk for thrombosis between the patients who did vs. did not receive antiplatelet therapy (P = 0.436). The most common complication after CAF closure was thrombosis. Increased risk for thrombosis was associated with large fistulae, distal-type CAF, and older age at presentation. Antiplatelet treatment did not appear to decrease the risk of thrombosis. Among patients with distal-type CAF, risk for thrombosis was lower among patients treated with endocardial closure, compared with patients treated with epicardial ligation.

Multiple recurrences of spontaneous coronary artery dissection in a woman with fibromuscular dysplasia.

A 54-year-old woman with no prior coronary artery disease or cardiac risk factors was diagnosed with spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) after presenting with an acute coronary syndrome. Over the next 5 years, she experienced four more episodes of SCAD, involving different coronary artery distributions, with evidence of complete angiographic healing following conservative management with antiplatelet therapy and beta-blockade.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection in systemic lupus erythematosus: case-based review.

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) present an increased prevalence of coronary heart disease. The majority of cases of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in patients with SLE are due to atherosclerosis. Less common causes include thrombosis of an angiographically normal coronary artery and coronary vasculitis. Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare cause of ACS in these patients. We report the case of a 53-year-old female diagnosed of SLE presenting with an ACS caused by SCAD. She was treated medically and her clinical course was favorable. A literature search identified seven additional cases of SCAD associated with SLE. The main clinical features found in these reports are revised. ACS caused by SCAD in SLE patients is a condition likely under-reported in literature. SCAD should be suspected in patients with SLE and ACS, especially in younger women without evident cardiovascular risk factors. An early accurate diagnosis of SCAD is key to provide specific treatment, which differs from that of usual atherosclerotic ACS.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection in a young woman with polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) affects 4% to 12% of women in reproductive age, representing a clinical condition that could predispose to cardiovascular diseases. We report a case of a 34-year-old woman with PCOS, presenting with chest pain, onset two days before, and ST segment-elevation myocardial infarction. She was not pregnant or in a postpartum state. Subsequent cardiac angiography revealed spontaneous left anterior descending coronary artery dissections, managed by conservative approach. The patient was discharged in medical therapy after 5days. This is the first observation of spontaneous coronary artery dissection occurring in a PCOS patient.

Spontaneous Distal Right Coronary Artery Dissection in a Patient With Massive Pulmonary Embolism: Thrombolyze or Not?

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare cause of myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction, and sudden cardiac death. We report a case with SCAD of distal right coronary secondary to pulmonary thromboembolism. Reported treatment options for SCAD include medical therapy, thrombolysis, balloon angioplasty, and coronary artery bypass surgery. The decision as to which one depends on the clinical and angiographic factors. The benefit of thrombolysis in these patients is controversial. The prognosis in patients surviving the initial event is generally believed to be favorable. In patients who remain stable, conservative management seems to be safe and is compatible with a good long-term outcome.

Propranolol as a treatment for multiple coronary artery micro-fistulas.

We present a case of congenital multiple coronary artery-left ventricle micro-fistulas, which were treated with propranolol disappearing within 6 months. She had a malformative syndrome associated with a chromosomal abnormality. The treatment for coronary artery fistula includes surgical ligation and transcatheter closure, but they are not indicated in congenital micro-fistulas. We propose propranolol as a treatment in this type of diffuse fistula.

Outcomes following conservative management of spontaneous coronary artery dissection.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare but a serious cause of myocardial ischaemia and infarction that occurs most frequently in younger female patients. The management of this rare condition remains controversial. In this case series we describe the spectrum of outcomes observed following conservative management.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection: is there a metabolic association?

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection is an uncommon cause of chest pain and acute myocardial infarction, occurring most classically in young women without cardiovascular risk factors. We present a case of a man presenting with chest pain and arrhythmia found to have multivessel spontaneous coronary artery dissection and hyperhomocysteinemia and we raise the possibility of a potential link between the two conditions.

A rare cause of postpartum chest pain.

We report the case of a 45-year-old postpartum female at low risk for coronary artery disease (CAD) who presented with chest pain, a normal electrocardiogram (ECG) and elevation of serial troponin-T levels. Coronary angiography revealed dissection of the first obtuse marginal branch of the left circumflex coronary artery. The patient was treated medically and discharged home safely. Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare condition. In the absence of CAD, it is seen most frequently in young females during the peripartum period. Insult from the hemodynamic stresses during pregnancy and labor combined with the underlying pregnancy related arterial wall changes is the proposed mechanism of dissection in this setting. The normal ECG in the presence of an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in this case also demonstrates the occasional electrically silent ECG that can occur during acute compromise of the left circumflex coronary artery.

Rationale and design of the BA-SCAD (Beta-blockers and Antiplatelet agents in patients with Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection) randomized clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION Y OBJECTIVES: Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare cause of acute coronary syndrome. Most patients are empirically treated with beta-blockers and antiplatelet drugs. The Beta-blockers and Antiplatelet agents in patients with Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (BA-SCAD) is an academic, pragmatic, prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded-endpoint clinical trial, performed under the auspices of the Spanish Society of Cardiology, to assess the efficacy of pharmacological therapy in patients with SCAD. METHODS: Using a 2 x 2 factorial design, 600 patients will be randomized (1:1/1:1) to: a) beta-blockers (yes/no) and b) "short" (1 month) vs "prolonged" (12 months) antiplatelet therapy. Only patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction will be randomized to beta-blockers (yes/no) because patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction will receive beta-blockers according to current guidelines. Similarly, only conservatively managed patients (ie, no coronary intervention) will be randomized to the antiplatelet stratum, as patients requiring coronary interventions will receive 1-year dual antiplatelet therapy. The primary efficacy endpoint includes a composite of death, myocardial infarction, stroke, coronary revascularization, recurrent SCAD, and unplanned hospitalization for acute coronary syndrome or heart failure at 1 year. The primary safety endpoint will be bleeding. All patients will be clinically followed up yearly. A comprehensive set of additional substudies (clinical, imaging, revascularization, biomarkers, inflammatory, immunologic, pharmacogenetics, and genetic) will be conducted to ensure a holistic view of this unique and challenging clinical entity. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the BA-SCAD randomized clinical trial will advance our knowledge in the treatment of patients with SCAD. The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT04850417).

Coronary arteriovenous fistula.

Congenital coronary arteriovenous fistulas represent abnormal communication between coronary arteries and any cardiac chambers, pulmonary artery, coronary sinus, superior vena cava or pulmonary vein. We reported an interesting case of very long and tortuous coronary arteriovenous fistulas originated from the left circumflex coronary artery, which drained into bronchial arteries in right lower lung field diagnosed by coronary angiography and multidetector computed tomography.

[Spontaneous coronary artery dissection in young male patient with STEMI: Unsuccessful fibrinolysis]. / Dissection coronaire spontanée dans le SCA ST+ chez un homme jeune : échec de fibrinolyse.

Spontaneous coronary artery disease (SCAD) is a particular form of acute coronary syndrome affecting preferentially female patient with few or without traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Male patient is exceptionally concerned by SCAD. We report a case of a young male patient presenting with anterolateral STEMI in relation with SCAD of Left main and left anterior descending artery (LAD). He was initially managed by fibrinolysis, which is then complicated by cardiogenic choc. Coronary angiogram covered by intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) showed an acute double occlusion of proximal LAD and the ostium of the left circumflex artery (LCX). After thrombus aspirations, the angiographic pattern recalled a SCAD, which is confirmed by OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography). The latter highlighted the intimal flap with true and false lumen involving both Left main and proximal LAD with huge thrombus burden. PCI was then performed successfully with implantation of 3 DES (Drug Eluting Stent). But given the cardiogenic shock persistence despite Dobutamin infusion and IABP, ECMO (Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) was indicated. Unfortunately, the patient died of haemorrhage during ECMO implantation.

Intense exercise may not be so benign: chest pain in a young athletic woman may be spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD).

We present a 26-year-old woman who came to the emergency department with chest pain of 1 hour duration that started while she was exercising on the treadmill. At presentation, ECG showed sinus bradycardia. Initial troponin level was 0.05 ng/mL and her chest pain resolved within 3 hours of onset. Troponins were trended serially, which continued to rise and peaked at 28.77 ng/mL and so heparin drip was started. On the second day of admission, a coronary angiogram was performed along with intravascular ultrasound, which revealed type 3 spontaneous coronary artery dissection. No obstructive atherosclerotic disease was noted in any of the coronary vessels. No coronary intervention was performed. Patient was started on aspirin and clopidogrel. Patient was discharged home in stable condition and was followed outpatient, where she remained in excellent health condition at her first clinic visit.

Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection in the Postoperative Period: A Case Report.

Spontaneous coronary artery disease is an uncommon and likely underdiagnosed cause of sudden cardiac death affecting typically young and middle-aged women. We report a case of spontaneous coronary artery disease in the postoperative period in a female patient who developed an acute coronary event after gynecologic surgery. The patient was clinically asymptomatic except for mild hemodynamic instability and ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction seen on electrocardiogram. Spontaneous coronary artery disease was diagnosed with coronary angiography, and a pharmacological therapy was instituted with favorable results.

Unduly long left main (79 mm) coronary artery arising from right coronary sinus in a 64-year-old diabetic man.

Coronary artery anomalies are usually an incidental finding on coronary angiogram. Most of them are benign, although few of them are malignant which may cause sudden cardiac death. A 64-year-old diabetic, hypertensive man underwent coronary angiography for evaluation of exertional dyspnoea, and angina which revealed an anomalous left main coronary artery (LMCA) arising from right coronary sinus which was unduly long (79 mm) but free from any disease. To the best of our knowledge after extensive search in literature, this is the longest LMCA to be ever reported. The patient was managed conservatively.