Endothelial dysfunction in patients with spontaneous coronary artery dissection: another brick in the failing coronary wall?

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD), an acute disruption of the inner surface of the coronary artery resulting in a false vascular lumen, is a well-established cause of acute coronary syndromes (ACS). SCAD has been traditionally considered a rare condition, affecting almost exclusively young women in the peripartum period. Thanks to the improved diagnosis and management of ACS, it has become recently clear that SCAD can affect both genders and patients of all ages. Compared with ACS secondary to atherosclerotic disease, SCAD seems to have a higher incidence in patients with arterial hypertension, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and peripheral artery disease [1].
Source: International Journal of Cardiology - Category: Cardiology Authors: Source Type: research