A Case of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Due to Vertebral Artery Dissection Following Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection on the Same Day: A Clinical Image.

Abstract

A woman in her 60s with well-controlled dyslipidemia presented with anterior chest pain. The electrocardiogram, chest radiograph, and echocardiogram were unremarkable; however, cardiac enzymes levels were elevated. Coronary angiography performed after dual antiplatelet therapy revealed spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD). On the same day, the patient complained of mild headache that was initially treated as migraine. Hours later, the patient reported severe headache, followed by a decline in consciousness. Computed tomography of the head showed subarachnoid hemorrhage, while the angiography revealed bilateral vertebral artery dissection. The ruptured right vertebral artery dissecting aneurysm was treated with coil embolization. Despite treatment, the patient died 7 days later. Autopsy confirmed dissections of the coronary and vertebral arteries. Although SCAD is rare, it often coexists with extracoronary vascular abnormalities due to systemic arterial fragility. Therefore, consider cerebrovascular disorders and promptly implementing diagnostic and management strategies in patients with SCAD and headaches is necessary.