Dissecting the Dissection Interdisciplinary Insights into SCAD Research

Abstract

Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD) is a condition in which separation of vessel layers triggers ectopic blood flow through a false lumen, subsequently obstructing normal blood flow. Myocardial infarctions caused by SCAD are often missed or misdiagnosed due to a general lack of awareness and information among healthcare providers. This study aims to conduct interdisciplinary research on SCAD, encompassing prodromal symptoms, identification, pathophysiology, and patients’ experiences. Firstly, patients reported experiencing prodromal symptoms in a questionnaire, suggesting that SCAD might not be spontaneous. Secondly, a SCAD specific nanobody is identified and mass spectrometry data suggest X(confidential) as its target. Thirdly, comparison of adhesion molecules and extracellular matrix components between SCAD cells and control cells demonstrated differential expression of genes involved in tissue structural integrity. Lastly, interviews revealed that SCAD patients sometimes perceive the information provision by healthcare workers as inadequate. By tackling multiple aspects of SCAD through an interdisciplinary approach, this study provides novel directions for future research on the disease

Graphical abstract

People involved:

Jort Aarts1 , Chris Ambagtsheer1 , Line Biemans1 , Marieke Bron2 , Noor Croon3,*, Sofie Croonen2 , Viktoria Ellmies4 , Inge van der Ende6 , Eva van der Heide2 , Hein Hermans5 , Eveline Houtman1 , Alexander Kusnetsov6 , Nuria van den Meerendonk6 , Amy Olivieira1 , Naomi Rijksen6 , Sjoukje Tasma1 , Lieke Tops1 , and Rozemarijn Vroom1 

1Faculty of Medicine, BSc Biomedical Sciences

2Faculty of Medicine, BSc Medicine

3Faculty of Science, BSc Biology

4University College Utrecht, BSc Major in Chemistry and Molecular Cell Biology

5Faculty of Science, BSc Molecular and Biophysical Life Sciences

6Faculty of Science, BSc College of Pharmaceutical Sciences