A Rare Encounter: Unstable Vasospastic Angina Induced by Thyrotoxicosis.

Coronary artery vasospasm plays a crucial role in the prevalence of unstable angina. Despite common misdiagnosis, there is limited evidence on this topic. Here, we present a rare case of unstable vasospastic angina in a female with severe thyrotoxicosis. Case Report: A 62-year-old female patient was admitted to the cardiac intensive care unit due to crushing chest pain at rest. The patient exhibited ischemic changes on the ECG with a normal troponin I level. Recurrent chest pain prompted urgent coronary angiography, revealing generalized vasospasm of all coronary artery branches including the left main coronary artery. Intracoronary nitroglycerin injection partially alleviated the vasospasm; however, there was a persistent stenosis in the left main artery. Subsequent intravascular ultrasound demonstrated an anatomically normal left main artery. Post-procedure, laboratory tests revealed undetectable levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone and thyroid hormones above the detectable level. The patient was initiated on methimazole and discharged symptom-free, expecting a good prognosis under conservative management. Conclusions: Clinically significant coronary vasospasm triggered by thyrotoxicosis remains a rarity in clinical practice, often posing diagnostic challenges. This case emphasizes the significance of intracoronary nitroglycerin and intravascular ultrasound in discerning the etiology of coronary lesions seen on angiography. We advocate for these techniques to optimize invasive coronary artery diagnostics, enabling the selection of the appropriate treatment strategies and improving long-term prognosis.

A Case of Refractory Variant Angina.

Coronary vasospasm is defined as the abnormal contraction of an epicardial coronary artery. Variant angina is a severe form of coronary vasospasm, reflecting transmural ischemia with ST-T elevation on an electrocardiogram. A pharmacologic spasm provocation test during coronary angiography is the gold standard evaluation for patients who have not been diagnosed with coronary vasospasm by a non-invasive test. The sensitivity and specificity of pharmacologic spasm provocation testing have been reported to be very high in patients with variant angina. Here, we report the case of a 61-year-old woman who had refractory variant angina. Although a pharmacologic spasm provocation test did not lead to a definitive diagnosis, she had recurrent acute coronary syndrome due to coronary vasospasm. Physicians should be aware of the limitations of the spasm provocation test, even in patients with refractory variant angina.

Insights into the invasive diagnostic challenges of coronary artery vasospasm - A systematic review.

Coronary provocation testing is an essential diagnostic procedure when evaluating vasospastic angina. Invasive methods using acetylcholine or ergonovine are considered the current gold standard. Despite efforts from global cardiovascular institutions, current protocols vary in dosage, administration time, and procedural approach. In addition, concerns over the specificity of findings and potential complications have limited routine uptake of this procedure in clinical practice. This systematic review evaluates current diagnostic protocols, focusing on invasive provocation testing. We included studies using intracoronary provocation testing with acetylcholine or ergonovine for the assessment of coronary artery vasospasm that detailed specific elements of the procedure (dosage, administration time, etc.) and included ≥50 patients. A total of 28 articles met strict inclusion criteria. Our review highlights the heterogeneity between current diagnostic protocols for invasive provocation testing. We believe standardization of a diagnostic protocol will encourage both current and future cardiologists to incorporate such procedures in the evaluation of variant angina.

A Rare Case of Kounis Syndrome Secondary to Infliximab.

Kounis syndrome (KS) is an acute coronary syndrome triggered by allergic or anaphylactic reactions. It manifests as coronary artery vasospasm, acute myocardial infarction, or coronary stent thrombosis, resulting from inflammatory cytokine release and inappropriate activation of platelets and mast cells. We present a case of an 85-year-old male with Crohn's disease who suffered anaphylaxis during infliximab infusion, culminating in non-ST myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). The patient's symptoms were effectively managed with epinephrine and diphenhydramine, and KS secondary to infliximab was diagnosed. Diagnosing KS can be challenging due to the overlapping signs of an allergic reaction and myocardial infarction. Timely recognition and appropriate management of KS are crucial to enhance patient outcomes. Therefore, healthcare providers should maintain a high index of suspicion for KS in patients with acute coronary syndromes linked to allergic reactions to optimize care and minimize potential risks. This case report underscores the significance of prompt intervention and awareness of Kounis syndrome in clinical practice.

Post-spastic flow recovery time to document vasospasm induced ischemia during acetylcholine provocation testing.

Background: Intracoronary acetylcholine (ACh) provocation is an established method for diagnosing epicardial and microvascular vasospasm in contemporary clinical practice. We hypothesize that ACh-induced vasospasm is followed by post-spastic reactive hyperemia (PSRH), which is measured as an increased flow-recovery time. Objectives: To assess flow-recovery time, indicative of ischemia, among the diagnostic endotypes that follow ACh provocation testing. Methods: Patients with angina and non-obstructive coronary artery disease on angiography who underwent ACh provocation testing were included in this analysis. Doppler flow was continuously measured during the procedure and used to determine the flow-recovery time, which was calculated as time between cessation of ACh infusion and the point of flow recovery. Results: Conventional provocation testing according to the COVADIS criteria diagnosed vasospasm in 63%(77/123), an equivocal result in 22%(27/123) and a negative result in 15%(19/123) of patients. In reaction to the highest-dose of ACh, flow-recovery time was significantly extended and similar in the epicardial, microvascular and equivocal test results compared to the negative result (all p < 0.001) indicative of PSRH. Conclusion: Flow-recovery time in patients with an equivocal result is similar to patients with vasospasm, which indicates the occurrence of myocardial ischemia and therefore, these patients may benefit from medical treatment.

Recurrent Angina in a Patient With Myocardial Infarction With Non-obstructive Coronary Arteries.

The ubiquity of coronary angiography has increased the identification of myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries. Currently among cardiologists, there is neither a consensus nor comprehensive diagnostic blueprint for accurate evaluation of patients with myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries. We present a case of a patient with recurrent chest pain. A diagnosis of myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries secondary to coronary artery vasospasm was determined with the use of multimodality imaging cardiac imaging.

Wandering ST-Segment in Acute Coronary Syndrome: The Einthoven's Twist.

Interpretation of the ST-segment axis in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) plays a crucial role in identifying the culprit artery and optimizing revascularization strategies. In certain conditions, the ST-segment axis may abruptly change during management, creating diagnostic confusion, provoking unnecessary workups, and causing treatment delays. Some reported causes of wandering ST-segment include lead misplacement, progressive injury, coronary vasospasm, migration of the thrombus, and aortic dissection. Here we describe two exciting cases of wandering ST-segment axis in acute coronary syndrome and its management.

Coronary Vasospastic Angina: A Review of the Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Management.

Vasospastic angina (VSA) is an under-appreciated cause of chest pain. It is characterised by transient vasoconstriction of the coronary arteries and plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of stable angina and acute coronary syndromes. Complex mechanistic pathways characterised by endothelial dysfunction and smooth muscle hypercontractility lead to a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations ranging from recurrent angina to fatal arrhythmias. Invasive provocation testing using intracoronary acetylcholine or ergonovine is considered the current gold standard for diagnosis, but there is a wide variation in protocols amongst different institutions. Conventional pharmacological therapy relies on calcium channel blockers and nitrates; however, refractory VSA has limited options. This review evaluates the pathophysiology, diagnostic challenges, and management strategies for VSA. We believe global efforts to standardise diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines will improve the outcomes for affected patients.

Severe Coronary Artery Vasospasm after Mitral Valve Replacement in a Diabetic Patient with Previous Stent Implantation: A Case Report.

Postoperative coronary vasospasm is a well-known cause of angina that may lead to myocardial infarction if not treated promptly. We report a case of a 70-year-old female with severe mitral regurgitation submitted to mitral valve replacement, and a history of diabetes mellitus type II, stroke, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura on steroid therapy, and previous percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for severe obstruction of the circumflex coronary artery, 4 months prior to surgery. Immediately after intensive care unit admission, the patient developed pulseless electrical activity which required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for hemodynamic support. The coronary angiography showed diffuse occlusive coronary artery vasospasm, ameliorated after intra-coronary administration of nitroglycerin. The following postoperative evolution was marked by cardiogenic shock and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. Subsequent echocardiographic findings showed an increase in left ventricular function with an EF of 40%, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support was weaned after seven days. However, after a few hours, the patient progressively deteriorated, with cardiac arrest and no response to resuscitation maneuvers. Hemodynamic instability following the surgical procedure in a patient with previous PCI associated with an autoimmune disease and diabetes mellitus should raise the suspicion of a coronary artery vasospasm.

Chest pain and coronary endothelial dysfunction after recovery from COVID-19: A case series.

Endothelial cell damage related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been described in multiple vascular beds, and many survivors of COVID-19 report chest pain. This case series describes two previously healthy middle-aged individuals who survived COVID-19 and were subsequently found to have symptomatic coronary endothelial dysfunction months after initial infection.

Positive Regadenoson Stress Test in a Patient on Phentermine With Normal Coronaries.

Obesity is a well-established cardiovascular (CV) risk factor with greater mortality and morbidity rates than the general population. Phentermine is a weight loss medication that is approved for short-term obesity treatment in conjunction with lifestyle modifications to decrease CV risk. A 51-year-old female with Raynaud's phenomenon who was started on phentermine one week prior presented with a one-day history of palpitations. Subsequent workup revealed non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) on presentation and worsening ST segment depressions following regadenoson injection during pharmacological stress testing. Although current evidence suggests that the use of phentermine is safe and may even reduce the risk of CV disease in obese patients, it still may pose adverse CV effects. A detailed medical history, including medications used and predisposing conditions, is crucial to help identify and possibly prevent exacerbation of such CV side effects.

Coronary vasospasm: A narrative review.

Coronary artery vasospasm (CAVS) plays an important role in acute chest pain syndrome caused by transient and partial or complete occlusion of the coronary arteries. Pathophysiology of the disease remains incompletely understood, with autonomic and endothelial dysfunction thought to play an important role. Due to the dynamic nature of the disease, its exact prevalence is not entirely clear but is found to be more prevalent in East Asian and female population. Cigarette smoking remains a prominent risk factor, although CAVS does not follow traditional coronary artery disease risk factors. Many triggers continue to be identified, with recent findings identifying chemotherapeutics, allergens, and inflammatory mediators as playing some role in the exacerbation of CAVS. Provocative testing with direct visualization is currently the gold-standard for diagnosis, but non-invasive tests, including the use of biomarkers, are being increasingly studied to aid in the diagnosis. Treatment of the CAVS is an area of active research. Apart from risk factor modification, calcium channel blockers are currently the first line treatment, with nitrates playing an important adjunct role. High-risk patients with life-threatening complications should be considered for implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), although timing criteria for escalated therapy require further investigation. The role of pharmaceuticals targeting oxidative stress remains incompletely understood.

Drug-Eluting Stents: Their Preventative/Prophylactic Role Against Gemcitabine Induced Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS), a subdivision of ischemic cardiac disease, is the sudden occlusion of coronary vessels that results in decreased blood supply to heart muscles and possible infarction. Though some of the etiologies are hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and tobacco; certain types of chemotherapies play a major role. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has shown lifesaving results via drug-eluting stent (DES) deployment into occluded vessels. In this study, DES utilization among patients receiving chemotherapy will be assessed to observe if it provides any prevention against ACS. Articles were systematically screened in three databases such as PubMed, PubMed Central (PMC), and Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE) using keywords and Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) terms for applicable articles. Additionally, a few relevant articles from the Cochrane Library, Molecular Diversity Preservation International (MDPI), and The New England Journal of Medicine were also used. Inclusion/exclusion criteria were applied post article screening via title and abstracts. Quality appraisal check was done using the Scale for the Assessment of Narrative Review Articles (SANRA) checklist, A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) checklist, Cochrane bias assessment tool, and Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist. Ten related studies were strictly reviewed. DES did not appear to play a preventable role against ACS during chemotherapy as no study was found assessing DES prophylactically and its efficacy in cancer patients. Future clinical trials on DES prophylactic use might be beneficial to evaluate if ACS adversities of chemotherapy can be prevented. This review is of significant benefit as cardiovascular adversities would not impede chemotherapy efficacy as cardiac adversities would not be part of the equation.

Coronary Artery Vasospasm Requiring Cardiac Autotransplantation Yet Controlled With Tobacco.

Coronary artery vasospasm is typically managed through avoidance of triggers and with symptomatic treatments with calcium channel blockers and long-acting nitrates. Here, we report a rare case of medically refractory coronary artery vasospasm associated with genetic predispositions that initially required cardiac autotransplantation followed paradoxically by nicotine for long-term symptomatic control. (Level of Difficulty: Intermediate.).

ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction in a 23-Year-Old Female: The Mystery of Thrombus Formation.

Acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is rarely seen in young adults, however, when encountered, the underlying cause is either a genetic condition leading to early-onset coronary artery disease (CAD), an acquired pro-thrombotic condition, or an idiopathic condition like spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD). Our case describes a healthy 23-year-old female who presented with sudden onset severe angina and was found to have a laminated thrombus in the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), with no evidence of intraluminal dissection or plaque rupture. Although the underlying etiology of thrombus formation remains unknown, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) related thrombotic event is the prime suspect. In addition, another culprit that cannot be excluded is phentermine-induced coronary vasospasm, a commercially available medication for weight loss. This report addresses current literature on acute coronary syndromes in young adults and reviews the potential etiologies for coronary artery thrombosis, which led to a near-fatal acute coronary syndrome in our patient.

Bee Attack or Heart Attack: Kounis Syndrome.

Kounis syndrome (KS) is defined as an allergic or hypersensitivity reaction leading to coronary vasospasm and acute coronary syndrome. The inflammatory mediators released during the body's reaction to an allergen causes vasoconstriction, plaque rupture, platelet aggregation, and even thrombosis of an existing coronary stent. Over the years, many allergens including drugs, environmental exposures, and animal and insect bites have been implicated in KS. Patients may present with elevated cardiac enzymes and electrocardiographic changes. We describe a case of a patient with no prior cardiac history who presented to the emergency department seeking treatment after multiple bee stings. The patient had non-specific electrocardiogram (ECG) changes and elevated cardiac enzymes consistent with a non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction. The patient underwent a pharmacologic stress test and myocardial perfusion imaging, which showed a perfusion defect consistent with ischemia. Selective right and left coronary angiography revealed a critical lesion at the proximal left circumflex artery. This was managed with percutaneous coronary intervention utilizing a bare-metal stent.

Pathobiology and evolving therapies of coronary artery vasospasm.

Coronary artery vasospasm is a known cause of chest pain and requires a high level of clinical suspicion for diagnosis. It also remains in the differential diagnosis for patients presenting with type 2 myocardial infarction. There are few randomized controlled trials for guideline-based prevention and treatment for coronary artery vasospasm. In this article, we review updated concepts in coronary artery vasospasm. Specifically, our aim is to provide current evidence of pathophysiology, identify the risk factors, propose a diagnostic algorithm, review available evidence of evolving therapies, and identify patients who would benefit from automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillators.

Severe Myocardial Infarction Caused by Excessive Cannabis Consumption.

The cardiovascular effects of cannabis are not well known. Cannabis use has been shown to cause arrhythmia, including ventricular tachycardia, sudden death, and increase in the risk of myocardial infarction (MI). We report a 62-year-old woman with chronic cannabis abuse inducing MI complicated by cardiogenic shock, chronic dilated cardiomyopathy, and atrial fibrillation.