Parada cardiorrespiratória após infarto agudo do miocárdio por vasoespasmo coronariano. Relato de caso e revisão da literatura / Cardiorespiratory arrest after acute myocardial infarction due to coronary vasospasm. Case report and literature review

A angina vasoespástica é uma causa incomum de parada cardíaca e arritmias ventriculares. No entanto, os sobreviventes dessas complicações têm um risco aumentado de recorrência, apesar da função ventricular normal e do tratamento médico otimizado. Descrevemos o caso de uma ex-tabagista de 50 anos que teve parada cardiorrespiratória secundária a vasoespasmo coronariano grave.

Vasospastic angina is an uncommon cause of cardiac arrest and ventricular arrhythmias. However, survivors of these complications are at an increased risk of recurrence, despite normal ventricular function and optimized medical therapy. We describe a case of a 50-year-old former smoker who developed cardiorespiratory arrest secondary to severe coronary vasospasm.

Refractory vasospasm of the left anterior descending artery causing hemodynamic instability after percutaneous coronary intervention

Refractory coronary vasospastic angina is prone to fatal outcomes. Therefore, it is crucial that the most suitable treatment strategy be promptly elected so as to avert further cardiac complications. Here, authors present the clinical course of profound refractory coronary vasospastic angina in a 50-year-old man. Authors elected to manage the patient through stent implantation. Despite, a complication of perforation followed by refractory coronary vasospasm, authors elected to implant a second stent to relieve the patient from all symptoms.

Etiopatogenia e implicancia pronóstica en el infarto de miocardio sin obstrucción de las arterias coronarias epicárdicas (MINOCA)

RESUMEN El infarto de miocardio sin obstrucción de las arterias coronarias (MINOCA) es un síndrome clínico caracterizado por la evidencia clínica de infarto de miocardio con arterias coronarias normales o con estenosis no significativas en la angiografía coronaria igual o menor a 50%. El MINOCA es un síndrome clínico con múltiples etiologías que pueden afectar tanto los vasos epicárdicos como la microcirculación, con una prevalencia de 6%. Se debe realizar un enfoque de medicina personalizado mediante el cual los pacientes con diferentes subtipos de angina, definidos por los resultados de pruebas coronarias de funcionalidad, puedan beneficiarse de una terapia individualizada y dirigida. Se requiere de un caudal mayor de investigación para determinar si este enfoque puede conducir al paciente a beneficios clínicos. Las pruebas invasivas más generalizadas permiten la identificación de subgrupos de diagnóstico para el desarrollo de terapias dirigidas guiado por estudios mecanicistas. El manejo terapéutico depende de la causa que lo origina, si es que llega a ser identificada. El pronóstico es variable, dependiendo de la causa, y en muchos casos es similar a aquellos casos con obstrucción coronaria. El diagnóstico correcto de la causa subyacente de la angina permite el tratamiento preciso, específico y estratificado de los diferentes tipos de causa etiológica. Esta manera de actuar ha demostrado que este enfoque es seguro, factible y con beneficios demostrables para los pacientes con MINOCA.

ABSTRACT Myocardial infarction without coronary artery obstruction (MINOCA) is a clinical syndrome characterized by clinical evidence of myocardial infarction with normal coronary arteries or with non-significant stenosis in coronary angiography equal to or less than 50%. MINOCA is a clinical syndrome with multiple etiologies that can affect both epicardial vessels and microcirculation, with a prevalence of 6%. A personalized medicine approach should be performed whereby patients with different angina subtypes, defined by the results of coronary functional tests, can benefit from an individualized and targeted therapy. A greater flow of research is required to determine if this approach can lead the patient to clinical benefits. The more generalized invasive tests allow the identification of diagnostic subgroups for the development of targeted therapies guided by mechanistic studies. The therapeutic management depends on the cause that originates it, if it becomes identified. The prognosis is variable, depending on the cause, and in many cases it is similar to those cases with coronary obstruction. The correct diagnosis of the underlying cause of angina allows the precise, specific and stratified treatment of the different types of etiological cause. This way of acting has shown that this approach is safe, feasible and with demonstrable benefits for patients with MINOCA.

Vasoespasmo coronario en un niño alérgico al látex: síndrome de Kounis / Coronary vasospasm in a child allergic to latex: Kounis syndrome

El síndrome de Kounis consiste en la aparición simultánea de anafilaxia y síndrome coronario agudo. Se trata de una entidad poco descrita y que puede estar infradiagnosticada en pediatría. Es crucial, por su presentación variable, atípica e inesperada, y por sus posibles complicaciones graves (arritmias ventriculares, infarto de miocardio, muerte súbita), su reconocimiento y tratamiento precoz, dirigido a la revascularización del miocardio y al tratamiento de la reacción anafiláctica concomitante. Se presenta el caso de un varón de 11 años que, tras el contacto con látex, presentó una reacción anafiláctica asociada a vasoespasmo coronario, con recuperación rápida y completa con la administración de adrenalina intramuscular. El estudio cardiológico descartó patología coronaria como causa del evento. El estudio alergológico puso de manifiesto un síndrome de reactividad cruzada látex-frutas (kiwi y piña). Se diagnosticó síndrome de Kounis tipo i desencadenado por látex, y se recomendó evitar posibles factores desencadenantes.

Kounis syndrome consists of the simultaneous occurrence of anaphylaxis and acute coronary syndrome. It is a rare entity that may be underdiagnosed in paediatrics. The clinical presentation is variable, atypical and usually unexpected, and it carries possible serious complications such as ventricular arrhythmias, myocardial infarction and sudden death. Therefore, an early diagnosis and treatment for myocardial revascularization and the anaphylactic reaction are crucial. We report the case of an 11-year-old male who, after contact with latex, presented an anaphylactic reaction associated with coronary vasospasm, with rapid and complete recovery after administration of intramuscular adrenaline. The cardiological study ruled out coronary pathology as the cause of the event. The allergy study revealed a latex-fruit (kiwi and pineapple) cross-reactivity syndrome. The patient was diagnosed with type I Kounis syndrome triggered by latex, recommending the avoidance of possible triggers.

Infarto agudo de miocardio sin enfermedad coronaria ateroesclerótica obstructiva / Acute myocardial infarction without obstructive atheroesclerotic coronary disease

RESUMEN El infarto de miocardio con arterias coronarias no obstructivas es una nueva definición y manifestación clínica que incluye múltiples condiciones cardiacas. La importancia en su reconocimiento y búsqueda de la etiología radica en el pronóstico a largo plazo, dada la mayor incidencia de eventos cardiovasculares mayores. Por ello, la diferenciación de otras causas clínicas de elevación de biomarcadores cardiacos y el abordaje diagnóstico detallado basado en la historia clínica, junto con otros estudios complementarios, son fundamentales para definir un tratamiento y seguimiento que impacte en la evolución de los pacientes.

SUMMARY Myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries is a new definition and clinical manifestation that includes multiple cardiac conditions. The importance in its recognition and search of the etiology lies in the long-term prognosis given the higher incidence of major cardiovascular events. Therefore, the differentiation of other clinical causes of elevation of cardiac biomarkers and a detailed diagnostic approach based on clinical history and complementary studies are fundamental to define treatment, follow-up and impact on the evolution of patients.

Síndrome de Kounis, a propósito de un caso / Kounis syndrome, apropos of a case

El síndrome de Kounis se caracteriza por un compromiso cardiaco que es secundario a una respuesta alérgica. Hay pocos datos acerca de la epidemiologia de esta enfermedad debido a su reciente descripción. Se presenta el caso de una paciente mujer de 46 años sin antecedentes de importancia que presentó dolor tipo cólico episódico en hipocondrio derecho de 4 días de tiempo de enfermedad, en la que se consideró el diagnóstico de cólico de origen biliar. Quince minutos luego de manejo sintomático (hiocsina/dipirona), la paciente presentó dolor torácico en región precordial de inicio súbito. La evaluación física mostró hipotensión, taquicardia, presencia de habones en todo el cuerpo y sibilantes a la auscultación pulmonar. El electrocardiograma mostro infradesnivel del segmento ST. Considerado como síndrome coronario agudo, se realizó el manejo con esteroides y soporte vital, y se indicó monitorización cardiovascular en unidad de cuidados intensivos. La paciente egresó sin complicación luego de unos días

Kounis syndrome is defined as an acute coronary syndrome secondary to an allergic response; and it is also known as allergic angina - acute myocardial infarction. There is little data on the epidemiology of this disease because of having been recently described. We present the case of a 46-year old woman who developed an episode of colicky abdominal pain in the right upper quadrant for 4 days, and a diagnosis of abdominal pain of biliary origin was considered. Fifteen minutes after symptomatic therapy was administered (hyoscine and metamizole), the patient developed sudden chest pain. Physical examination revealed hypotension, tachycardia, rash, and wheezing. The electrocardiogram showed ST segment depression. The case was managed as an acute coronary syndrome, vital support and steroids were part of its management, and the patient was admitted in the intensive care unit for coronary monitoring. A few days later, the patient was uneventfully discharged

Research Progress and Forensic Application on the Pathogenesis of Coronary Artery Spasm / 法医学杂志

Coronary artery spasm(CAS)is a hyper-contraction of segmental coronary artery in response to multiple stimuli. At present, it's still in lack of specific diagnostic indicators of sudden cardiac death caused by CAS. This review summarizes current researches on the mechanisms of CAS and describes the roles of vascular endothelial dysfunction and vascular smooth muscle hypersensitivity in the course of CAS. Furthermore, the molecular mechanisms of the endogenous NO and endothelin-1 cause vascular endothelial dysfunction, and the phosphorylation of MLC2, Rho kinase and endoplasmic reticulum stress related to vascular smooth muscle hypersensitivity are discussed. Meanwhile, the possibility of forensic application for the related molecules on the diagnosis of sudden cardiac death caused by CAS are also explored.

Ergonovine Stress Echocardiography for the Diagnosis of Vasospastic Angina and Its Prognostic Implications in 3,094 Consecutive Patients

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Ergonovine stress echocardiography (ErgECHO) has been proposed as a noninvasive tool for the diagnosis of coronary vasospasm. However, concern over the safety of ErgECHO remains. This study was undertaken to investigate the safety and prognostic value of ErgECHO in a large population. METHODS: We studied 3,094 consecutive patients from a single-center registry who underwent ErgECHO from November 2002 to June 2009. Medical records, echocardiographic data, and laboratory findings obtained from follow-up periods were analyzed. RESULTS: The overall positive rate of ErgECHO was 8.6%. No procedure-related mortality or myocardial infarction (MI) occurred. Nineteen patients (0.6%) had transient symptomatic complications during ErgECHO including one who was successfully resuscitated. Cumulative major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) occurred in 14.0% and 5.1% of the patients with positive and negative ErgECHO results, respectively (p 220 mg/dL, and positive ErgECHO result itself were independent factors associated with MACEs. CONCLUSIONS: ErgECHO can be performed safely by experienced physicians and its positive result may be an independent risk factor for long-term adverse outcomes. It may also be an alternative tool to invasive ergonovine-provoked coronary angiography for the diagnosis of vasospastic angina.

Coronary artery spasm as the probable cause of cardiac arrest immediately after the induction of spinal anesthesia: A case report

A 72-year-old man underwent spinal anesthesia for artificial urinary sphincter placement for urinary incontinence. After the block level was confirmed below T6, 1 g of cefotetan, which had not shown any reaction on skin test, was administered as a prophylactic antibiotic. The patient began complaining of chest discomfort and dyspnea shortly after injection. ST elevation appeared on the electrocardiogram and the patient's pulse could not be palpated. Accordingly, cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed for 5 minutes; the patient recovered spontaneous circulation. The patient was diagnosed as experienced coronary artery spasm by coronary angiography with spasm test. Because coronary artery spasm can also develop in patients with no history of coronary artery disease and under spinal anesthesia, careful observation, suspicion of coronary artery spasm and prompt response to hemodynamic and electrocardiogram changes are necessary.

Multi-vessel intractable coronary spasm development in a patient with aborted sudden cardiac death: a case study with intravascular ultrasound findings / 영남의대학술지

Coronary spasm generally occurs in patients with minimal atherosclerotic plaque lesion, and it has a rather favorable prognosis. However, in some cases, coronary spasm may induce myocardial infarction and even sudden cardiac death (SCD). Here, we report a case in which multi-vessel intractable coronary vasospasm suddenly occurred in a diffuse atherosclerotic lesion after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in a patient with aborted SCD. We identified the characteristics of the spasm portion in intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) images and conducted percutaneous cardiopulmonary bypass support-PCI with stenting as treatment. Intima and media thickening and a large attenuated plaque burden with rupture were identified in IVUS images at the obstructive spasm portion.

Miocardiopatía adrenérgica por discinesia apical transitoria como forma de presentación de feocromocitoma / Adrenergic cardiomyopathy by transient apical dyskinesia as a form of presentation of pheochromocytoma

La cardiomiopatia adrenérgica o síndrome de tako-tsubo o discinesia apical transitoria está caracterizada por una excesiva estimulación simpática, que induce a un vasoespasmo coronario, todo de carácter transitorio con recuperación de la contractilidad hasta la normalidad en las semanas posteriores al evento. Reportamos el caso de una paciente de 37 años que presentó sintomatología de síndrome coronario agudo, electrocardiogramas con ondas T negativas en cara anterior, elevación de enzimas cardíacas, severa discinesia apical transitoria, coronarias angiográficamente normales; el dosaje de catecolaminas urinarias elevadas motivo una resonancia magnética nuclear de abdomen que mostró una masa adrenal izquierda en el contexto clínico de un feocromocitoma.

Adrenergic cardiomyopathy or tako-tsubo syndrome or transient apical dyskinesia or apical ballooning is characterized by excessive sympathetic stimulation, which induces coronary vasospasm, all of a transient nature with recovery of contractility to normality in the weeks after the event. We present the case of a 37-year-old female patient presenting with acute coronary syndrome, electrocardiograms with negative T-waves on the anterior face, elevated cardiac enzymes, severe transient apical dyskinesia, angiographically normal coronary arteries. Elevated urinary catecholamine dosage resulted in an abdominal magnetic resonance imaging that showed a left adrenal mass in the clinical setting of a pheochromocytoma.

A cardiomiopatia adrenérgica por síndrome de tako-tsubo ou discinesia apical transitória é caracterizada por estimulação simpática excessiva que induz um vasoespasmo coronário, de natureza transitória com recuperação da função ventricular esquerda até a normalidade nas semanas após o evento. Apresentamos o caso de uma paciente de 37 anos de idade apresentava sintomas de uma síndrome coronária aguda, electrocardiogramas com ondas T negativas na face anterior, elevação das enzimas cardíacas, severa discinesia apical transitória, artérias coronárias angiograficamente normais. O dosagem da catecolaminas urinárias elevadas motivou a realização de uma de ressonância magnética nuclear do abdômen que mostrou uma massa adrenal esquerda no cenário clínico de um feocromocitoma.

Masked inherited primary arrhythmia syndromes in sudden cardiac death patients accompanied by coronary vasospasm

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Coronary vasospasms are one of the important causes of sudden cardiac death (SCD). Provocation of coronary vasospasms can be useful, though some results may lead to false positives, with patients potentially experiencing recurrent SCD despite appropriate medical treatments. We hypothesized that it is not coronary vasospasms but inherited primary arrhythmia syndromes (IPAS) that underlie the development of SCD. METHODS: We analyzed 74 consecutive patients (3.8%) who survived out-of-hospital cardiac arrest among 1,986 patients who had angiographically proven coronary vasospasms. Electrical abnormalities were evaluated in serial follow-up electrocardiograms (ECGs) during and after the index event for a 3.9 years median follow-up. Major clinical events were defined as the composite of death and recurrent SCD events. RESULTS: Forty five patients (60.8%) displayed electrocardiographic abnormalities suggesting IPAS: Brugada type patterns in six (8.2%), arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia patterns in three (4.1%), long QT syndrome pattern in one (2.2%), and early repolarization in 38 (51.4%). Patients having major clinical events showed more frequent Brugada type patterns, early repolarization, and more diffuse multivessel coronary vasospasms. Brugada type pattern ECGs (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 4.22; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.16 to 15.99; p = 0.034), and early repolarization (HR, 2.97; 95% CI, 1.09 to 8.10; p = 0.034) were ultimately associated with an increased risk of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Even though a number of aborted SCD survivors have coronary vasospasms, some also have IPAS, which has the potential to cause SCD. Therefore, meticulous evaluations and follow-ups for IPAS are required in those patients.

Impact of Diltiazem Alone versus Diltiazem with Nitrate on Five-Year Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Significant Coronary Artery Spasm

PURPOSE: Calcium channel blockers diltiazem and nitrate have been used as selective coronary vasodilators for patients with significant coronary artery spasm (CAS). However, no study has compared the efficacy of diltiazem alone versus diltiazem with nitrate for long-term clinical outcomes in patients with CAS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 2741 consecutive patients without significant coronary artery disease with positive CAS by acetylcholine (Ach) provocation test between November 2004 and May 2014 were enrolled. Significant CAS was defined as a narrowing of >70% by incremental intracoronary injection of 20, 50, and 100 µg of Ach into the left coronary artery. Patients were assigned to either the diltiazem group (n=842) or the dual group (diltiazem with nitrate, n=1899) at physician discretion. To adjust for potential confounders, a propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was performed using the logistic regression model. After PSM analysis, two well-balanced groups (811 pairs, n=1622, C-statistic=0.708) were generated. RESULTS: At 5 years, there were similar incidences in primary endpoints, including mortality, myocardial infarction, revascularization, and recurrent angina requiring repeat coronary angiography between the two groups. Diltiazem alone was not an independent predictor for major adverse cardiovascular events or recurrent angina requiring repeat coronary angiography. CONCLUSION: Despite the expected improvement of endothelial function and the relief of CAS, the combination of diltiazem and nitrate treatment was not superior to diltiazem alone in reducing mortality and cardiovascular events up to 5 years in patients with significant CAS.

Association between the Red Cell Distribution Width and Vasospastic Angina in Korean Patients

PURPOSE: The association between the red cell distribution width (RDW) and vasospastic angina (VSA) has not been elucidated. We investigated the association of the RDW with the incidence and angiographic subtypes of VSA in Korean patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 460 patients who underwent intracoronary ergonovine provocation tests were consecutively enrolled and classified into two groups: the VSA group (n=147, 32.0%) and non-VSA group (n=313, 68.0%). The subjects were classified into 3 subgroups (tertiles) according to the baseline level of RDW assessed before the angiographic provocation test. RESULTS: The VSA group had a higher RDW than the non-VSA group (12.9±0.8% vs. 12.5±0.7%, p=0.013). The high RDW level demonstrated an independent association with the high incidence of VSA [second tertile: hazard ratio (HR) 1.96 (1.13-2.83), third tertile: HR 2.33 (1.22-3.47), all p<0.001]. Moreover, the highest RDW tertile level had a significant association with the prevalence of the mixed-type coronary spasm [HR 1.29 (1.03-1.59), p=0.037]. CONCLUSION: The high level of RDW was significantly associated with the prevalence of VSA and the high-risk angiographic subtype of coronary spasm, suggesting that a proactive clinical investigation for VSA could be valuable in Korean patients with an elevated RDW.

Ventricular Tachycardia Associated Syncope in a Patient of Variant Angina without Chest Pain

A 68-year-old man was admitted for a syncope workup. After routine evaluation, he was diagnosed with syncope of an unknown cause and was discharged from the hospital. He was readmitted due to dizziness. On repeated Holter monitoring, polymorphic ventricular tachycardia was detected during syncope. We performed intracoronary ergonovine provocation test; severe coronary spasm was induced at 70% stenosis of the proximal left anterior descending artery. The patient was treated with percutaneous coronary intervention. We present a rare case of syncope induced by ventricular arrhythmia in a patient with variant angina without chest pain.

Ventricular Tachycardia Associated Syncope in a Patient of Variant Angina without Chest Pain

A 68-year-old man was admitted for a syncope workup. After routine evaluation, he was diagnosed with syncope of an unknown cause and was discharged from the hospital. He was readmitted due to dizziness. On repeated Holter monitoring, polymorphic ventricular tachycardia was detected during syncope. We performed intracoronary ergonovine provocation test; severe coronary spasm was induced at 70% stenosis of the proximal left anterior descending artery. The patient was treated with percutaneous coronary intervention. We present a rare case of syncope induced by ventricular arrhythmia in a patient with variant angina without chest pain.

Coronary Vasospasm Mimicking Acute Myocardial Infarction.

Chest pain frightens many people into thinking that they might be having a heart attack. There are many causes of chest pain, few of which are life-threatening. One of the causes of chest pain is vasospasms, which is transient in nature and prolonged episodes can lead to tissue necrosis. Therefore, a prompt diagnosis and treatment is vital to the management. We are reporting a case of a young female presented with chest pain with no history of drug use, previous episodes, palpitations, and hypertension being her only risk factor found to have elevated Troponin I and was diagnosed with non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), later found to have coronary vasospasm.

A Case of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation and Sinus Bradycardia due to Coronary Artery Spasm / 대한내과학회지

Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation may be induced by coronary spasm presenting with typical angina-like pain and palpitations. It is typically treated using rate or rhythm control strategies, although sustained coronary spasm can induce sinus bradycardia with dizziness and syncope. In the present case, we reached a diagnosis of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and sinus bradycardia due to coronary artery spasm using the methyl-ergonovine provocation test during angiography. While the treatment of coronary spasm can resolve paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, sinus bradycardia, and variant angina, the mechanism remains unclear, although it may be associated with sinus node ischemia. Similar symptoms, particularly chest discomfort, should be carefully considered in cases of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.