Recurrent Myocardial Infarction Due to Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection in a Young Female with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Case Report

Abstract

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is an uncommon but significant cause of myocardial infarction (MI) in young women who do not present with traditional cardiovascular risk factors. This case report details the presentation of a 36-year-old female with recurrent myocardial infarctions, characterized by chest pain, ECG abnormalities, and angiographic evidence of coronary dissection. Concurrently diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), her repeated cardiac events were attributed to SCAD. The chronic inflammatory state associated with RA, along with autoimmune vasculitis, connective tissue abnormalities, and possible effects of RA medications, likely contributed to the development of SCAD. This case highlights the critical need to recognize SCAD as a potential diagnosis in young women, particularly those with autoimmune conditions, and underscores the importance of considering autoimmune disorders as a contributing factor in the pathogenesis of SCAD.