Predictors of Isolated Coronary Artery Ectasia (CAE) in Egyptian Population

Abstract Background Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is defined as a dilation of ≥ 1.5-fold compared to the diameter of adjacent normal segments of the same or other arteries. The term 'ectasia' refers to the diffuse dilation of a coronary artery, while focal coronary dilation is referred to as 'coronary aneurysm'. The exact pathophysiology of CAE remains unknown. Objective To evaluate risk factors and clinical criteria as predictors of isolated coronary artery ectasia in the Egyptian population referred to our Cath laboratory for coronary angiography. Patients and Methods This Retrospective Study was carried out at our Cath lab at Misr University for Science and Technology (MUST) hospital. Among patients attending Souad Kaafi University Hospital, undergoing coronary angiography from November 2018 to October 2022 that 2100 patients, we found 40 patients with isolated coronary artery ectasia who enrolled in this study, and 252 patients with normal coronary angiography as a control group. Results The multivariate logistic regression analysis to assess predictors of the incidence of CAE among the studied patients shows that the most important associated factor that affected the incidence of CAE was smoking with an odd ratio of 7.769 and 95% CI (3.311- 18.229). Among patients with isolated coronary artery ectasia, on the number of affected vessels, Smoking status was significantly associated with the extent of coronary artery involvement, with a significant decrease in the proportion of smokers from the three-vessel group (84%) to the two-vessel group (42.9%) and the single-vessel group (0%) (p = 0.000). Among patients, there was statistical significance between isolated coronary artery ectasia and multiple vessel affection. Conclusion This study revealed that smoking is significantly associated with the presence of coronary artery ectasia (CAE), while diabetes mellitus (DM) and smoking showed a potential link to more extensive coronary artery involvement. Although other cardiovascular risk factors did not show significant associations, most patients with isolated CAE demonstrated involvement of multiple coronary vessels.