Spontaneous coronary artery dissection in a patient with cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leucoencephalopathy syndrome: a case report

BACKGROUND: Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leucoencephalopathy (CADASIL) syndrome is a genetically inherited condition most notably affecting the central nervous system in young adults. There is limited knowledge on its association with coronary arteries, and its association with spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) has not been previously reported. CASE SUMMARY: A 61-year-old woman who is known to have CADASIL syndrome presented with anterior ST-segment myocardial infarction and underwent emergency angiography. This showed appearance consistent with SCAD in the mid left anterior descending artery with tubular stenosis. DISCUSSION: The association between CADASIL syndrome and SCAD has not been previously reported. The similarity in the underlying pathophysiology of these two conditions makes this case intriguing.