[Spontaneous angina caused by spasm of the left coronary artery]

A 42 year old woman presented with a one year history of retrosternal chest pain and back pain on effort and at rest sometimes accompanied by minor syncopal attacks. Transient atrioventricular block was documented during one such episode associated with hypotension. Coronary angiography showed spontaneous spasm of the left main coronary artery with clinical symptoms but no electrocardiographic changes. The spasm was relieved by injection of SIN-1. The similarity between the previous clinical symptoms and those observed at coronary angiography was in favour of the diagnosis of spasm of the left main coronary artery without atherosclerotic coronary disease. Treatment with calcium atherosclerotic coronary disease. Treatment with calcium blockers and platelet antiaggregants led to total regression of her symptoms with a follow-up of 5 months.