Background Coronary artery ectasia is a relatively common entity characterized by inappropriate dilatation of the coronary vasculature. In some cases of acute coronary syndrome without obstructive coronary lesions, coronary ectasia is the sole cause. The exact mechanism of its development is unknown but evidence suggests a combination of genetic predisposition, common risk factors for coronary artery disease, and abnormal vessel wall metabolism. As there are few data regarding the pattern of coronary risk factors in patients with coronary ectasia, the objective of the study was to determine the frequency and distribution of coronary risk factors in patients with acute coronary syndrome solely due to coronary ectasia. Methods The study included 155 patients over a period of 6 months, with coronary angiographic evidence of coronary ectasia as the sole cause of acute coronary syndrome. There were 79 (51%) men and 76 (49%) women with a mean age 51.92 ± 7.83 years; 73 (47.10%) were aged 20–50 years and 82 (52.90%) were 51–80 years of age. The frequencies of coronary risk factors were stratified according to sex and the two age groups. Results Seventy-one patients (45.80%) had diabetes mellitus, 83 (53.54%) had hypertension, 55 (35.48%) were smokers, 46 (29.68%) had dyslipidemia, and 47 (30.3%) were obese. Conclusion Hypertension is the leading coronary risk factors in patients with acute coronary syndrome solely due to coronary ectasia, followed by diabetes mellitus and smoking.

Ischemia involving the posterior cerebral circulation carries high morbidity and mortality. Endovascular access to the vertebral artery is a relatively safe and straightforward management option. The feasibility and safety of angioplasty and stenting is well demonstrated in multiple centers. Periprocedural risks include stent embolization, malposition, stent fracture, vessel rupture, dissection and thrombosis. We present a case of vertebral artery stenting that was complicated by distal embolization of the stent. The anatomical difficulties while managing the complication were challenging. A novel drag-back technique was successfully tried and is described here along with discussion of other management options described in literature.