Contributor: Adam Barkin, MD

Educational Pearls:

• Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is the most common cause of acute MI in women under 50 years old
• Risk factors include fibromuscular dysplasia, extreme exercise, stress, pregnancy, and recent birth
• Diagnosed in cath lab but medically managed and usually do not get a stent
• Treated with dual antiplatelet therapy and beta-blockers

References

Yip A, Saw J. Spontaneous coronary artery dissection-A review. Cardiovasc Diagn Ther. 2015;5(1):37-48. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2223-3652.2015.01.08

Janssen EBNJ, de Leeuw PW, Maas AHEM. Spontaneous coronary artery dissections and associated predisposing factors: a narrative review. Neth Heart J. 2019;27(5):246-251. doi:10.1007/s12471-019-1235-4

Summarized by John Spartz, MS4 | Edited by Erik Verzemnieks, MD

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