Case report of severe coronary artery tortuosity with coexisting connective tissue disease

Abstract

Abstract Coronary artery tortuosity (CAT) is frequently detected during coronary angiography or coronary electron‐beam computed tomography angiography by cardiovascular interventionalists. In this article, we described the case of a 69‐year‐old female patient with recurrent chest discomfort for 1 month and recurrence 1 week ago, accompanied by emaciation, gastrointestinal discomfort, and low skin temperature at the extremities. After a series of tests, the patient was finally diagnosed with severe CAT and coexisting connective tissue disease. Accordingly, she was treated with conventional medications, and diet and lifestyle modifications. The symptoms of the patient resolved gradually after 1 year of follow‐up. Although there is no unanimous conclusion on the pathogenesis and clinical characteristics of CAT, this disease may provide a clue to the diagnosis of connective tissue disease, and warrants exploration through further research.

Keywords

• connective tissue disease
• coronary artery tortuosity
• electron‐beam computed tomography angiography