Vnitr Lek 2024, 70(8):528-532 | DOI: 10.36290/vnl.2024.100

Syncope caused by rupture of a right coronary artery aneurysm

Jakub Šyler¹, Jiří Plášek^{1, 2}, Jiří Vrtal¹, Jan Václavík^{1, 2}, Jozef Dodulík^{1, 2}

¹ Kardiovaskulární oddělení, Interní a kardiologická klinika, Fakultní nemocnice Ostrava

² Katedra interních oborů, Lékařská fakulta, Ostravská univerzita

Syncope is a sudden transient loss of consciousness caused by short-term hypoperfusion of the brain. It is a common reason for patients to visit acute admissions, where it is crucial to distinguish life-threatening causes from benign conditions. In this case report, we present the case of a 71-year-old patient whose syncope was caused by rupture of a right coronary artery aneurysm, resulting in the formation of a bulky hematoma in the right-sided cardiac compartments. This mechanism led to recurrent syncope, which at first glance could be mistakenly attributed to orthostatic hypotension caused by newly administered antihypertensive drugs. The case highlights the importance of a comprehensive approach to the diagnosis of syncope and emphasizes the need to exclude serious cardiovascular causes, especially in cases of recurrent and unexplained syncope. This rare but life-threatening condition was promptly diagnosed and treated by urgent cardiac surgery.

Keywords: syncope, coronary aneurysm, aneurysm rupture, cardiac surgery, case report.

Accepted: November 27, 2024; Published: December 18, 2024  Show citation