Summary
A 34-year-old man presenting with angina both at rest and on exertion was investigated. He developed severe ST segment elevation and a brief period of ventricular tachycardia during an exercise tolerance test. On coronary angiography, 60% fixed luminal narrowing was observed in the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery and a severe spasm developed at this site, leading to temporary total occlusion of the vessel. Successful coronary angioplasty (PTCA) was performed on this lesion, with a residual 15% narrowing. However, the patient had a recurrence of angina 3 weeks later, despite being administered high doses of nitrate and calcium antagonist. During control angiography, the lesion severity was unchanged, but spasm developed again following contrast injection. At this time, a Palmaz-Schatz stent was implanted. Calcium antagonist, nitrate, Ticlopidine and low molecular weight heparin therapy was started. There was no recurrence of symptoms during a 3-month follow-up. The exercise tolerance test, and myocardial perfusion scintigraphy findings were normal and the stent was patent without restenosis at the end of the 3-month follow-up. Intracoronary stent implantation for persistent coronary spasm refractory to conventional medical therapy can be considered a feasible and attractive treatment modality for the control of symptoms.
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Kültürsay, H., Can, L., Payzin, S. et al. A rare indication for stenting: Persistent coronary artery spasm. Heart Vessels 11, 165–168 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01745175
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01745175