Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) represents an increasingly recognized cause of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), especially in young females. Novel diagnostic insights obtained from intracoronary imaging and the frequent association with fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD), have recently enriched our understanding of this unique clinical entity. Recently, two scientific statements from both sides of the Atlantic, summarizing the available information on SCAD, have been simultaneously published. These should help to guide the clinical management of these challenging patients. Major collaborative research efforts are required to move from expert-based recommendations to evidence-based [corrected] medicine.
Keywords: Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD); fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD); intramural hematoma; intravascular ultrasound; myocardial infarction; optical coherence tomography (OCT).