[A case of unstable angina pectoris associated with an active phase of polymyositis]

We report a case of unstable angina in an active phase of polymyositis. A 51 year-old man was admitted with a diagnosis of polymyositis and unstable angina with ST elevation on prolonged rest chest pain. Rest anginal attack which had been refractory to conventional antianginal medications was controlled by high dose of glucocorticosteroid. Electrocardiography revealed multifocal premature ventricular contraction. Since silent ischemia on exercise persisted, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) was performed on a stenotic lesion in the left anterior descending artery. Since there was recurrent anginal attack, re-PTCA was carried out at the same site. He was discharged in a good condition. This case is considered to be associated with cardiac involvement of polymyositis because of ventricular arrhythmia, persistent increased serum levels of CPK-MB, and the marked benefits of corticosteroid against unstable angina. In addition, clinical manifestations, coronary arteriographic findings, and increased plasma levels of thrombin-antithrombin III complex suggest that cardiac involvement in polymyositis accelerates intracoronary thrombus formation and/or coronary spasm.