Coronary artery spasm is defined as an abnormal contraction of an epicardial coronary
artery resulting in myocardial ischemia. Many factors may precipitate coronary artery
spasm. Coronary artery spasm frequently occurs at rest, particularly from midnight
to early morning. However, in the early morning, even mild exertion may induce coronary
spasm. Coronary artery spasm can lead to arrhythmia or rarely sudden death. Coronary
spasm is forecast to 3%-4% of patients undergoing diagnostic coronary angiography
for chest pain syndromes. A 41-year-old male was admitted to out-patient clinic due
to a feeling of tightness in the chest, and dyspnea for 1 month. He have had a history
of smoking for ten years. Physical examination on admission, the BP was 140/75 mmHg.
Cardiovascular stress test was positive result and coronary angiography was performed.
A diffuse filling defect of ∼75% was found in the left anterior descending and cicumflex
artery. (Figure 1A), and thus the spasm of this vessels was proposed. Coronary spasm
was confirmed by intravascular ultrasound(IVUS). However, the stenosis in the coronary
angiography was not observed during IVUS. Immediately, an intracoronary injection
of 250 μg of nitroglycerin was done. However, the entire filling defect remained (Figure 1B).
Second intracoronary injection of 250 μg of nitroglycerin was done, but spasm hasn't
resolved. Lastly, intracoronary injection of 5 mg diltiazem was done. Coronary artery
spasm disappered after intracoronary injection of diltiazem (Figure 1C,D). If the
coronary spasm suspected, especially patient is young and absent of coronary risk
factors, IVUS and intracoronary drug injection should be performed.
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© 2015 Published by Elsevier Inc.