Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection as an Uncommon Case of Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction: A Case Report and Review

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare condition that frequently goes undiagnosed. Still, it is becoming an increasingly recognized cause of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), predominantly in middle-aged women with few or no cardiovascular risk factors. We present a case of a 53-year-old female with traditional cardiovascular risk factors, who presented with typical anginal symptoms and was diagnosed with SCAD in the mid to distal left anterior descending artery (LAD). Although she presented with typical risk factors not associated with SCAD, coronary angiography confirmed the diagnosis, and she was successfully managed conservatively with dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). This case represents the importance of SCAD remaining as a differential diagnosis even in patients with traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of prompt recognition, appropriate imaging, and individualized management for patients presenting with SCAD, especially as current guidelines lack standardization for follow-up after conservative therapy. This underscores the need for further research to better understand SCAD's etiology and potential advancements in treatment.