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Updated: Aug 19, 2026

Measurement of Myocardial Lactate Production for Diagnosis of Coronary Microvascular Spasm
Published on: September 17, 2021
Coronary artery spasm induced by 5-fluorouracil
P Alter1, M Herzum, J R Schaefer
1Philipps University of Marburg/Lahn, Department of Internal Medicine-Cardiology, Baldingerstrasse, 35033 Marburg, Germany. palter@med.uni-marburg.de
Abstract:
The frequently used chemotherapeutic drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is known to cause angina pectoris and arrhythmias; myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death could occur. Potential reasons for these phenomena range from toxic/metabolic disturbances to coronary artery spasms. This report shows angiographically proven spasmophilia of the coronary arteries and contributes to the understanding of angina pectoris occurring during treatment with 5-FU. Thus, verapamil type calcium antagonists as well as nitrates should be administered primarily in patients with coronary artery disease and in all patients who had been symptomatic during 5-FU administration in order to prevent further episodes.
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