Clinical outcome of coronary stenting in patients with variant angina refractory to medical treatment: a consecutive single-center analysis

Coronary spasm and vasomotor dysfunction as a cause of MINOCA

Increasing evidence has shown that coronary spasm and vasomotor dysfunction may be the underlying cause in more than half of myocardial infarctions with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) as well as an important cause of chronic chest pain in the outpatient setting. We review the contemporary understanding of coronary spasm and related vasomotor dysfunction of the coronary arteries, the pathophysiology and prognosis, and current and emerging approaches to diagnosis and evidence-based treatment.

Coronary artery spasm treated with intracoronary bioresorbable scaffold implantation under the guidance of treadmill test and optical coherence tomography: A case report

Coronary artery spasm (CAS) can cause unstable angina, and the treatment of this disease is controversial. We report an elderly male patient who was admitted to hospital due to chest tightness. CAG showed that 70% stenosis in the middle of the right coronary artery (RCA). A bioresorbable scaffold (BRS) was implanted in the lesion under the guidance of optical coherence tomography (OCT). One year later, the patient's symptoms were relieved. The repeated CAG showed that the stent was good. BRS implantation under the guidance of treadmill test and OCT is one of treatment options for CAS patients.

Nilotinib related acute myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries: a case report and literature review

BACKGROUND

Myocardial Ischemia with No Obstructive Coronary Artery Disease (MINOCA) is a common cause of type 2 acute myocardial infarction (AMI) which requires careful differential diagnosis. Coronary artery spasm (CAS) syndrome is one etiology that can lead to MINOCA. Nilotinib, a targeted treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), has been reported to be related with increased risk of adverse vascular events.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 67-year-old male patient was admitted to hospital with acute chest pain. He had a past medical history of CML and a history of treatment with nilotinib for 12 months. Coronary angiography (CAG) showed no significant stenosis. Since the onset of angina was generally in the early morning, and ECG and echocardiography suggested right coronary artery (RCA) disease, an ergonovine provocation test was performed to confirm the diagnosis of CAS. After intracoronary administration of ergonovine, middle and distal RCA showed over 90% vasoconstriction. Nilotinib related MINOCA, CAS and CML were diagnosed. Lifestyle changes (cessation of smoking), anti-spasmodics, statin treatment and adjustment of the nilotinib dose (from 200 mg bid, to 150 mg bid) were recommended for this patient. Six-month's follow-up showed good recovery with no onsets of angina.

CONCLUSIONS

Physicians should be vigilant to adverse vascular events when treating patients who have been prescribed nilotinib. It is suggested that in patients with MINOCA who have a history of treatment with nilotinib, CAS-induced MINOCA should be included in the differential diagnosis. Further studies are needed to clarify the mechanism and to find better management.

Myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary artery disease

As a result of the increased use of coronary angiography in acute myocardial infarction in the last two decades, myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) has received growing attention in everyday clinical practice. At the same time, research interest in MINOCA has increased significantly. MINOCA is a heterogeneous disease entity seen in 5-10% of all patients with myocardial infarction, especially in women. Clinically, MINOCA may be difficult to distinguish from other non-ischaemic conditions that can cause similar symptoms and myocardial injury. There is still some confusion around the diagnosis, investigation and management of patients with MINOCA. The present review summarises the current knowledge of MINOCA regarding epidemiology, pathophysiology, investigation, and treatment, with a special focus on imaging modalities. In addition, remaining important knowledge gaps are highlighted.

Aborted Sudden Cardiac Death from Vasospastic-Induced Ventricular Fibrillation with Normal Coronary Angiography: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Coronary artery vasospasms have been known to cause episodic angina pectoris, along with ST-T wave changes. In addition, vasospasm if prolonged can cause myocardial ischemia leading to malignant arrhythmias such as ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia resulting in sudden cardiac death (SCD). Treatment for this disorder can be challenging. Current data is lacking on the management of patients receiving appropriate vasodilator medications who present with Ventricular Fibrillation (VFib) as a consequence of coronary artery vasospasms. We present a case of a 71-year-old man who was hospitalized due to recurrent episodes of coronary vasospasms leading to acute decompensation and VFib with subsequent resuscitation while undergoing cardiac catheterization. We also provide review of the literature and updates on the current guidelines from the American Heart Association on this potentially life-threatening disorder.

Fatal Multi-Vessel Coronary Vasospasm: A Case Report

We report a case of a 59-year-old female who experienced a history of an acute ST myocardial infarction. Percutaneous intervention and isosorbide dinitrate perfusion were successful in reversing the severe vasospasm on the left anterior descending, the first diagonal, and posterior interventricular arteries. The patient received calcium channel blockers and nitrates with a good in-hospital clinical evolution. One month later, the patient presented to the ED with chest pain leading to cardiac arrest despite cardiopulmonary resuscitation. This case highlights the fatal outcome of coronary artery vasospasm.

Intravascular ultrasound findings and stent implantation for a patient with coronary spastic angina at site of progressive atherosclerotic plaque and responded poorly to medical treatment: a case report

BACKGROUND

Most coronary spastic angina patients are responsive to coronary vasodilators therapy, and stent implantation is not recommended for regular use. We reported the angiographic and intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) images of a rare case who responded poorly to medical treatment due to progressive atherosclerotic plaque at the spastic site.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 60-year-old man complaining of 1-month history of episodic chest pain at rest was admitted to our hospital. The diagnosis of coronary spastic angina was made based on the angiographic evidence of vasospasm at the right coronary artery (RCA). The patient responded poorly to conventional medical treatment during the 1-year follow-up. The repeated angiography revealed totally occlusion of the proximal segment of the RCA at the same location as 1 year before, and IVUS demonstrated there was vulnerable plaque and thrombus at the site of spasm. Episodic chest pain ceased completely in the follow up period after stenting.

CONCLUSION

Coronary spasm might present at the vessel site with advanced atherosclerotic plaque. For patients with refractory vasospastic angina and significant occlusion, stenting might be a viable and valuable treatment strategy under the guidance of intracoronary imaging.

[Prinzmetal angina. Questions of pathogenesis, clinic, diagnosis and treatment]

Current problems of Prinzmetal angina (vasospastic angina, variant angina) considers in this review. Attention is drawn to early diagnosis, which should be comprehensive, taking into account possible atypical courses and the development of complications. The important role of electrocardiographic monitoring (including using implantable recorders) is highlighted. It is emphasized that patients with cardiac arrhythmias, syncope are at high risk of developing sudden cardiac death. In this category of patients, it is recommended to timely determine the indications for implantation of a cardioverter - defibrillator. Authors consider the prospects of using new methods of treatment of angina pectoris.

Left Main Coronary Artery Diverticulum: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Coronary artery disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality, and while most commonly is atherosclerotic, it can present with variable manifestations, both congenital and acquired. One such manifestation is coronary aneurysm, which is a localized dilatation of a coronary artery wall segment to greater than 1.5 times the adjacent normal segments. While a dilated outpouching of a coronary artery has been commonly classified as a coronary aneurysm, a non-dilated outpouching is rare and is referred to as a diverticulum, with only one previous case report in the literature. It is conceivable that other cases of coronary artery diverticulum may have been previously reported as an aneurysm, given the overlapping angiographic appearance. We present a case of a 72-year-old female patient with an incidental finding of left main coronary artery diverticulum on diagnostic coronary angiogram done for preoperative liver transplantation evaluation.

Some observations on and controversies about coronary arterial spasm

The pathogenesis, clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of spasm of epicardial coronary arteries are reviewed briefly, especially with regard to some issues that remain controversial. For diagnosis, emphasis is placed on the need for objective observations during an attack, even if that requires an attempt at pharmacologic provocation during coronary arteriography, or during echocardiography when prior arteriography has demonstrated the absence of severe coronary stenosis.