title: Spontaneous coronary artery dissection as a cause of acute myocardial infarction in the postpartum period.
abstract: Spontaneous coronary dissection is an infrequent cause of acute myocardial infarction, and several cases have been presented during the peripartum period. We present a case of acute myocardial infarction resulting from spontaneous coronary artery dissection, in a 37-year-old woman during the postpartum period. Thrombolytic treatment was administered in the emergency room uneventfully but without symptom resolution. Diagnosis was subsequently established by coronary arteriography. The patient's in-hospital and long-term clinical course and prognosis are described and the potential pathogenetic mechanisms are discussed. Finally, the treatment options for this rare entity are presented.
authors.affiliation: University of Athens School of Medicine, Department of Clinical Therapeutics, Alexandra Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: John V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Terrovitis
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kanakakis
authors.forename: John N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Nanas
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D003323:Coronary Aneurysm / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000209:etiology*; D049590:Postpartum Period; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D013997:Time Factors