Successful percutaneous treatment of occlusive spontaneous coronary artery dissection with a ‘pull-back injection technique’: case report

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare condition that can cause acute coronary syndrome, typically in young patients without classical cardiovascular risk factors. Although in SCAD the conservative management is preferable, in cases with complete occlusion of the artery an invasive treatment may be required. In such cases, the goal of the percutaneous intervention should be to restore the connection between the true and false lumen recovering the distal flow of the vessel. CASE SUMMARY: A young man was admitted with acute chest pain and ST segment elevation in precordial v3–v6 leads. An emergent coronary angiogram showed an abrupt occlusion of middle left anterior descending artery compatible with SCAD. A microcatheter was advanced distally into the artery and pulled back with continuous contrast injection through the catheter, restoring the distal flow with a residual spiroid intimal flap and with relief of the chest discomfort. A computed tomography performed during admission showed complete resolution of the lesion. DISCUSSION: In SCAD with complete occlusion of the vessel, the ‘pull-back technique’ with continuous vigorous injection of contrast through a distal microcatheter may be effective to restore the distal flow enabling the healing of the artery at follow-up and avoiding the stent implant.