ISSN 2149-2263 | E-ISSN 2149-2271
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Coronary artery ectasia as a culprit for acute myocardial infarction: review of pathophysiology and management [Anatol J Cardiol]
Anatol J Cardiol. 2013; 13(7): 695-701 | DOI: 10.5152/akd.2013.227

Coronary artery ectasia as a culprit for acute myocardial infarction: review of pathophysiology and management

Usama Boles1, Roby Rakhit1, Man Fi Shiu1, Ketna Patel1, Michael Henein1
Department of Public Health and Medicine, Heart Centre, Umea University, Utmea-Sweden; Department of Cardiology Royal Free Hospital, London-England

Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is defined as localized coronary dilatation, which exceeds the diameter of normal adjacent segments or the diameter of the patient's largest coronary vessel by 1.5 times. The pathophysiology of CAE remains unclear as its relationship with atherosclerosis remains only modestly established. The histological variances and conflicting reports of the role of traditional cardiovascular risk factors, also, weakens the significance of such association. The slow coronary flow (CSF) of CAE may lead to ischemic and thrombotic events, a mechanism that has never been fully elucidated, but may play a fundamental role in its pathogenesis. While pure, non-atherosclerotic, CAE is believed to have better prognosis when compared to atherosclerotic obstructive CAE, it is thought that CAE is not a simple condition but rather has an adverse clinical course. Nevertheless, long-term prognosis and outcome of CAE is similar to atherosclerotic-non-CAE. Since CAE was first described, oral anticoagulants have been considered as a valid treatment option. Dual antiplatelet therapy is widely employed in acute coronary syndrome (ACS), which also applies to CAE patients presenting with ACS. However, there is a significant uncertainty about the best treatment strategy for CAE in acute myocardial infarction. We hereby report a variety of presentations of CAE complicated with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Pathophysiological and anatomical varieties of ectatic coronary culprit lesions represent clinical challenges in uniformly managing this condition. Our review is unique in critically showing the pathophysiology, available controversial evidence upon management and prognostic features of CAE with STEMI.

Keywords: Coronary artery ectasia, acute myocardial infarction, oral anticoagulants, dual antiplatelet therapy, coronary slow flow

Usama Boles, Roby Rakhit, Man Fi Shiu, Ketna Patel, Michael Henein. Coronary artery ectasia as a culprit for acute myocardial infarction: review of pathophysiology and management. Anatol J Cardiol. 2013; 13(7): 695-701
Manuscript Language: English


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