Description

Coronary artery ectasia (CAE) is the diffuse dilatation of coronary artery. It is defined as a dilatation with a diameter of 1.5 times the adjacent normal coronary artery. Its prevalence ranges from 1.2%-4.9% with male to female ratio of 3:1 .

Coronary ectasia likely represents an exaggerated form of expansive vascular remodeling (i.e. excessive expansive remodeling) in response to atherosclerotic plaque growth .

CAE is more common in males. Hypertension is a risk Factor. Interestingly, patients with DM have low incidence of CAE. This may be due to down regulation of MMP with negative remodeling in response to atherosclerosis . Smoking appears to be more common in patients with CAE than in those with coronary artery disease (CAD).

The angiographic classification for CAE (described by Markis et al.) categorizes the severity based on the extent of coronary arterial involvement: Type 1: Diffuse ectasia of 2-3 arteries; Type 2: Diffuse ectasia in one artery and localized in another; Type 3: Diffuse single arterial ectasia; Type 4: Localized or segmental ectasia.

Stable angina is the most common presentation in patients with CAE . Patients with CAE without stenosis had positive results during treadmill exercise tests. ST-elevation myocardial infarction (MI) , non-ST elevation MI can occur from altered blood flow by distal embolization or occlusion of ectatic segment with thrombus.

Medical management for CAE is a controversial area as there is lack of evidence based medicine, especially the role of antiplatelet versus anticoagulant agents. Aspirin was suggested in all patients because of coexistence of CAE with obstructive coronary lesions in the great majority of patients and the observed incidence of myocardial infarction, even in patients with isolated coronary ectasia .The role of dual anti platelet therapy has not been evaluated in prospective randomized studies. Based on the significant flow disturbances within the ecstatic segments, chronic anticoagulation with warfarin as main therapy was suggested

this study aims to fill the existing gap in the cardiac community about the topic of coronary ectasia. There is a substantial lack of dependable scientific data regarding the prevalence and disease prognosis of coronary ectasia. Screening, management and follow-up of coronary ectasia patients combined with comparative tests with reference studies will be initiated. A direct impact on improving coronary ectasia prognostic outcomes is expected by focusing efforts on determining the prevalence, prognosis and management procedures of ectasia. collected data will aid in improving the current therapeutic approaches to coronary ectasia and providing better control and management of coronary ectasia cases in the Middle East.

Study objectives:

Taking into account the classical coronary ectasia definition, the investigators propose:

• ANATOMIC OBJECTIVES.
• To characterize coronary ectasia prevalence causing invasive coronary angiography.
• To describe anatomy, location and aneurysms features.
• To assess intracoronary imaging data if available.
• To determine the underlying causes of coronary ectasia in patients
• CLINICAL OBJECTIVES.
• Determine the cause for the diagnostic catheterization and ectasia symptoms, if present.
• Patient´s clinical features.
• Long-term outcomes.
• THERAPEUTIC OBJECTIVES.
• To assess management strategies (conservative, interventional or surgical) and its short and long term results.
• Disease management outcomes .