Three broken vessels in a peripartum patient: a rare case report of spontaneous triple vessel coronary artery dissection

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a frequently underdiagnosed entity that carries a significant risk of morbidity and mortality. Spontaneous coronary artery dissection is increasingly recognized as an important cause of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and, the majority of SCAD patients are young healthy women. CASE SUMMARY: A 23-year-old female G5P4 presented to the emergency room for severe sub-sternal chest pain, associated with shortness of breath. Past medical history was significant for pre-eclampsia. Initial electrocardiogram was remarkable for ST depressions in V5-V6 with inverted T waves to V1-V2. Troponin I was elevated to 1.13 ng/mL. Two-dimensional echo showed reduced left ventricular function with an ejection fraction of 40%. Cardiac catheterization showed triple vessel dissection involving the left main trunk extending into mid-left anterior descending and dissection extending from ostium of left circumflex artery into large first obtuse marginal branch. She was started on aspirin and heparin. After 48 h she was loaded with clopidogrel. Computed tomography angiography of head, neck, abdomen, and pelvis showed findings compatible with fibromuscular dysplasia. She was haemodynamically stable and symptom free and did not want surgery. She was recommended to continue dual antiplatelet therapy for 12 months and subsequently aspirin and beta blocker only lifelong. DISCUSSION: Spontaneous coronary artery dissection is a rare condition which is underdiagnosed. A thorough history and high degree of suspicion is required to diagnose in a timely manner and it should be high on differential in a postpartum female presenting with signs and symptoms of ACS.