Aneurysmal dilation of the coronaries: a case series

ABSTRACT

Aneurysmal dilation of the coronaries arteries has a prevalence rate between 1-3% (1). It can be classified in aneurism or ectasia. The first, defined as a focal dilation of about 1.5x the normal diameter and the second as a diffuse dilation The right coronary is the most targeted with 40% of cases, followed by 32% of the left anterior descending (2). Fifty percent are associated with atherosclerosis, the rest is caused by congenital anomalies and inflammatory diseases, such as Kawasaki`s (1). Most are clinically silent and are only detected incidentally during coronary angiography or computed tomography. Due to the lack of evidence, management is challenging. Usually, these patients are more susceptible to presenting complications like local thrombosis, distal embolization and myocardial infarction (5). The use of anticoagulants in the context of the acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is implicated in the reduction of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in observational studies. Similar evidence sustains the use of dual antiplatelets (2,4). We present here a serie of 9 cases with aneurysm/coronary ectasia with median follow up of 3,5 years. All 9 patients had Myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary artery, 7 with ST-Elevation, due to aneurysm/coronary ectasia, of which 6 were men and 3 women, median age 54,5 years. Two patients had a family history of early coronary artery disease and previous infarction. Three patients had diabetes, history of smoking and obesity. Four patients were dyslipidemic and six had history of hypertension. One patient had atrial fibrillation/Flutter. The ejection fraction ranged from 40 to 60%, with an average of 52.7%. In the treatment, all patients were using statins and beta-blockers. Regarding antiplatelet and anticoagulation of these patients, 2 were using warfarin associated with P2Y12 inhibitors (iP2Y12), 1 was using warfarin alone, 1 was using direct-acting oral anticoagulant alone, 1 was using aspirin alone, 1 was using warfarin associated with aspirin and iP2Y12, and 2 used aspirin associated with iP2Y12. One of the patients evolved with dyspneia and 3 with angina. Three patients had another ACS. No deaths were recorded. Aneurysmal dilation of coronary vessels is a challenging and misdiagnosed entity, with lack of evidence, supporting an individualized management.