Spontaneous coronary artery dissection

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection, abbreviated SCAD, is an uncommon but potentially lethal condition in which a tear in the wall of one of the coronary arteries that supply the heart lets a collection of blood, or hematoma, form within the artery wall. It is one of the arterial dissections that can occur and is a major cause of heart attacks in young, otherwise healthy women who usually lack the typical cardiovascular risk factors. The exact cause is not yet known; it is likely related to changes during and after pregnancy, or possibly to genetics, hormonal influences, inflammation or disease, and the dissection restricts blood flow to the heart. It is often diagnosed by angiography in the cath lab. The risk of death is low, but recurrence is relatively common. This record is descriptive and is not medical advice.