Coronary ectasia in a man on breast cancer therapy presenting with acute coronary syndrome

Limited data exist on the association between breast cancer treatments and coronary artery disease anatomy, particularly in males. We describe an unusual case of diffuse coronary ectasia in a man with breast cancer presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). A 66-year-old man with breast cancer on paclitaxel, tamoxifen, and carboplatin chemotherapy regimen, presents with new onset chest pain. Electrocardiogram reveals anterolateral ST-segment depressions and elevated troponin I level. Emergent angiography revealed grossly ectatic coronary arteries with a total thrombotic occlusion of the mid right coronary artery. Serial intracoronary aspiration thrombectomy revealed fragments of red thrombus. Intracoronary tenectaplase was ultimately administered to restore perfusion. The patient clinically improved and warfarin was added to his cardiac regimen. Laboratory work up for connective tissue disease was negative. Although paclitaxel has been implicated in coronary artery neointima and media proliferation in the setting of drug-eluting stents, we believe our case is the first to describe massive coronary ectasia with significant thrombus burden requiring complex coronary intervention and thrombolysis in the setting of breast cancer therapy in a man

Raising HDL cholesterol in women

Danny J Eapen1, Girish L Kalra1, Luay Rifai1, Christina A Eapen2, Nadya Merchant1, Bobby V Khan11Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA; 2University of South Florida School of Medicine, Tampa, FL, USAAbstract: High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration is essential in the determination of coronary heart disease (CHD) risk in women. This is especially true in the postmenopausal state, where lipid profiles and CHD risk mimic that of age-matched men. Thus, interventions designed to reduce CHD risk by raising HDL-C levels may have particular significance during the transition to menopause. This review discusses HDL-C-raising therapies and the role of HDL in the primary prevention of CHD in women. Lifestyle-based interventions such as dietary change, aerobic exercise regimens, and smoking cessation are initial steps that are effective in raising HDL-C, and available data suggest women respond similarly to men with these interventions. When combined with pharmacotherapy, the effects of these lifestyle alterations are further amplified. Though studies demonstrating gender-specific differences in therapy are limited, niacin continues to be the most effective agent in raising HDL-C levels, especially when used in combination with fibrate or statin therapy. Emerging treatments such as HDL mimetic therapy show much promise in further raising HDL-C levels and improving cardiovascular outcomes.Keywords: high-density lipoprotein, HDL, women, cholesterol, heart diseas