A strange weakness: a case-report of dilated cardiomyopathy in a young patient with spontaneous coronary dissection

Abstract

Introduction Atherosclerosis is the most common cause of coronary affections, but coronary dissection is certainly more insidious. This is the separation of the media apart from the other layers of the vessel wall, with or without intimal tear. Spontaneous coronary dissection is a rare event, especially in young men: only 150 cases were reported till 1986 and over 300 till date. The main consequence is an acute coronary occlusion with myocardial infarction and sudden death.Case report We report the case of a 28-year-old man, presented with a mild symptomatic spontaneous coronary dissection, consisting of a strange weakness, remained undetected until fortuitous medical analyses suggested the opportunity of further investigations. A clinical examination and an EKG showed the opportunity to perform a bidimensional echocardiogram at first, a low-dose dobutamine stress echocardiogram, then a regional myocardial perfusion and a non-invasive coronary flow reserve assessment. The patient has been properly and quickly screened and is now enlisted for cardiac transplantation.Conclusions In such cases the immediate identification and treatment of the affection can be crucial. In our experience the basic and advanced echocardiography allowed a sooner diagnosis than the usual proceeding based on coronarographic examination.