Abstract 10420: Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection in a Young Man Taking Sumatriptan

Abstract

Introduction: Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare cause of acute coronary syndrome. There is an approximate 9:1 female predominance, and commonly cited risk factors include fibromuscular dysplasia, pregnancy, and cocaine use. We present a case of SCAD in a young man with migraines and triptan use, initially misdiagnosed as panic disorder. Case: A 25-year-old man with a history of migraines treated with sumatriptan presented with several months of intermittent chest pain and syncopal episodes. He had been evaluated in an emergency department at the onset of symptoms and diagnosed with panic disorder. His EKG now showed Q waves in leads V1-V2 and T wave inversions in leads I and AVL. Serial troponins were stable at 0.04 ng/mL. An echocardiogram showed left ventricular apical ballooning and large thrombus. Left heart catheterization revealed significant stenosis of the proximal LAD and 50% stenosis of the mid LAD (Fig. 1A). A follow-up CT angiogram showed intimal thickening and perivascular fat stranding in the proximal and mid LAD, confirming a diagnosis of SCAD (Fig. 1B). A full-body CTA showed no additional aneurysm or dissection. Inflammatory markers and autoimmune serologies were negative. Urine toxicology was negative for cocaine or amphetamines. Given an otherwise unrevealing workup, migraines and triptan use were identified as the significant risk factors for SCAD. He was discharged with clopidogrel, warfarin, and metoprolol and counseled against further use of triptans Discussion: Multiple studies have reported increased prevalence of SCAD in patients with migraines, particularly those using triptans. This phenomenon likely relates to stimulation of 5-HT1B and 5-HT1D receptors in the coronary vasculature. Greater recognition of SCAD and its risk factors is essential for timely diagnosis and treatment, particularly in young patients whose chest pain may be falsely attributed to non-cardiac causes.