Spontaneous coronary artery dissection by intravascular ultrasound in a patient with myocardial infarction

Abstract

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection is a rare cause of acute coronary syndrome and sudden cardiac death. The incidence, causes, pathogenesis, and treatment have not been defined clearly, but spontaneous coronary artery dissection should be considered in young patients without major cardiovascular risk factors or in patients in the peripartum period who present with acute coronary syndrome. The treatment is often challenging. Medical treatment is usually considered, and percutaneous coronary intervention or coronary artery bypass surgery may be possible in some patients. We herein report two cases of middle-aged males with myocardial infarction who were treated with percutaneous coronary angioplasty. © 2014 The Korean Association of Internal Medicine.