[Myocardial infarction by spontaneous dissection of coronary arteries in a subject with type IV Ehlers-Danlos syndrome].

Acute myocardial infarction with spontaneous coronary dissection was fatal in a 33-years-old man. Autopsy and family history revealed type IV Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. In this disease, conjunctive tissue is fragilized due to a deficit in type III collagen which leads to spontaneous ruptures in large and medium sized arteries. The present case is the first with a proven rupture of the coronary arteries. This disease should be entertained in young people with no atherogenous risk factor and an acute coronary disorder since peripheral skin and joint syndromes may be discreet or missing. Treatment is difficult in case of spontaneous coronary dissection. Thrombolysis is not possible and diagnosis may require angiography which is in itself dangerous due to the fragility of the coronary vessels.