Clinical usefulness of myocardial scintigraphy in patients with vasospastic angina

A Super-elderly Case of Suspected New-onset Vasospastic Angina Complicated by Myocardial Bridge

A 90-year-old man experienced chest oppressive sensation at 12:30 AM for the first time. Electrocardiography showed a newly developed inversion of the terminal T-wave in the V2-5 leads. A left coronary angiogram showed no significant atherosclerotic stenosis. A myocardial bridge was found in the mid-left anterior descending artery (LAD). Myocardial scintigraphy with 123I beta-methyl 15-para-iodophenyl 3(R,S)-methylpentadecanoic acid revealed a reduced uptake in the apical and septal areas. Based on these findings, we suspected new-onset vasospastic angina complicated by a myocardial bridge in the territory of the LAD. He remained in good condition without recurrent anginal attacks after nifedipine was started before bedtime.

Non-invasive diagnosis of vasospastic angina

Vasospastic angina (VSA), or variant angina, is an under-recognized cause of chest pain and myocardial infarction, especially in Western countries. VSA leads to a declined quality of life and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Currently, the diagnosis of VSA relies on invasive testing that requires the direct intracoronary administration of ergonovine or acetylcholine. However, invasive vasoreactivity testing is underutilized. Several non-invasive imaging alternatives have been proposed to screen for VSA. This review aims to discuss the strengths and limitations of available non-invasive imaging tests for vasospastic angina.

Rubidium-82 Positron Emission Tomography With Intravenous Ergonovine to Diagnose Vasospastic Angina

The gold standard to diagnose vasospastic angina is intracoronary reactivity testing, which is performed selectively at dedicated centres. Noninvasive imaging with single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) or echocardiography does not enable accurate localization of spasm or quantification of change in myocardial perfusion in response to an abnormal vasoreactivity. Rubidium-82 positron emission tomography myocardial perfusion imaging (⁸²Rb PET-MPI) with intravenous ergonovine was used to diagnose refractory vasospastic angina in a patient with a complex ischemic syndrome, recent coronary stenting, and persistent atypical angina despite maximal tolerable doses of guideline-directed medical therapy.