Alfonso F, Paulo M, Lennie V, Dutary J, Bernardo E, Jiménez-Quevedo P, Gonzalo N, Escaned J, Bañuelos C, Pérez-Vizcayno MJ, Hernández R, Macaya C. Spontaneous coronary artery dissection: long-term follow-up of a large series of patients prospectively managed with a "conservative" therapeutic strategy.
JACC Cardiovasc Interv 2013;
5:1062-70. [PMID:
23078737 DOI:
10.1016/j.jcin.2012.06.014]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 252] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2012] [Revised: 05/15/2012] [Accepted: 06/07/2012] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
This study sought to assess the long-term clinical outcome of patients with spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCD) managed with a conservative strategy.
BACKGROUND
SCD is a rare, but challenging, clinical entity.
METHODS
A prospective protocol, including a conservative management strategy, was followed. Revascularization was only considered in cases with ongoing/recurrent ischemia. Inflammatory/immunologic markers were systematically obtained.
RESULTS
Forty-five consecutive patients (incidence 0.27%) were studied during a 6-year period. Of these, 27 patients (60%) had "isolated" SCD (I-SCD), and 18 had SCD associated with coronary artery disease (A-SCD). Age was 53 ± 11 years, and 26 patients were female. Most patients presented with an acute myocardial infarction. SCD had a diffuse angiographic pattern (length: 31 ± 23 mm). In 11 patients, the diagnosis was confirmed by intracoronary imaging techniques. Sixteen patients (35%) required revascularization during initial admission. One patient died after surgery, but no additional patient experienced recurrent myocardial infarction. No significant inflammatory/immunologic abnormalities were detected. At follow-up (median 730 days), only 3 patients presented with adverse events (1 died of congestive heart failure, and 2 required revascularization). No patient experienced a myocardial infarction or died suddenly. Event-free survival was similar (94% and 88%, respectively) in patients with I-SCD and A-SCD. Notably, at angiographic follow-up, spontaneous "disappearance" of the SCD image was found in 7 of 13 (54%) patients.
CONCLUSIONS
In this large prospective series of consecutive patients with SCD, a "conservative" therapeutic strategy provided excellent long-term prognosis. Clinical outcome was similar in patients with I-SCD and A-SCD. The natural history of SCD includes spontaneous healing with complete resolution.
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