Spontaneous coronary artery dissection: a clinically oriented narrative review

Abstract

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is an important cause of acute coronary syndromes (ACS), with a higher incidence in younger female patients. It is also associated with pregnancy, delivery, and the post-partum period. Despite an exponential rise in the volume of SCAD-focused research and publications within the past decade, SCAD is still a poorly understood condition, with a paucity of randomised controlled trial data. This review discusses the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis and management of SCAD alongside areas for future research.