Spontaneous coronary artery dissection in the context of tamoxifen; Is there any correlation?

Abstract

Key Clinical Message Clinicians should consider spontaneous coronary artery dissection in middle‐aged women presenting with acute coronary syndromes and a history of tamoxifen use, to ensure timely diagnosis, and appropriate management strategies. Abstract Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is characterized by a non‐iatrogenic, nontraumatic separation of the coronary artery wall, contributing to acute coronary syndromes (ACS), and sudden cardiac death. SCAD predominantly affects the left anterior descending artery (LAD) and is frequently observed in middle‐aged women. This condition has been associated with cancer treatment and exogenous hormones exposure. The diagnostic gold standard remains coronary angiography, management strategies include conservative measures, percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). We describe a case of a 54‐year‐old woman with breast cancer and a history of tamoxifen use, presenting with SCAD in the posterolateral branch (PLB) originating from the left circumflex artery (LCX), and right coronary artery (RCA) and managed conservatively.

Keywords

• acute coronary syndrome
• breast cancer
• chest pain
• myocardial infarction
• spontaneous coronary artery dissection
• tamoxifen