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Measurement of Myocardial Lactate Production for Diagnosis of Coronary Microvascular Spasm
06:18

Measurement of Myocardial Lactate Production for Diagnosis of Coronary Microvascular Spasm

Published on: September 17, 2021

Comparison of frequency of coronary spasm in Korean patients with versus without myocardial bridging

Jin Won Kim1, Chang Gyu Park, Soon Yong Suh

  • 1Cardiovascular Center, Korea University, Guro Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

The American Journal of Cardiology
|September 22, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Myocardial bridging, a heart condition, can cause endothelial dysfunction, increasing the risk of coronary artery spasm. This study confirms this link, highlighting the importance of understanding this relationship for patient care.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Clinical Cardiology
  • Vascular Biology

Background:

  • Myocardial bridging can cause mechanical stress on the coronary endothelium.
  • This stress may lead to endothelial dysfunction and increased risk of coronary spasm.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To test if myocardial bridging induces endothelial dysfunction.
  • To determine if myocardial bridging increases the risk of coronary spasm.
  • To investigate the response to medication in patients with myocardial bridging and coronary spasm.

Main Methods:

  • Spasm provocation testing using incremental acetylcholine infusion in the left coronary artery.
  • Comparison between 81 patients with myocardial bridging and 195 control patients.
  • Angiographic confirmation of myocardial bridging and absence of atherosclerotic lesions in controls.

Main Results:

  • Coronary spasm was significantly more frequent in patients with myocardial bridging (62/81) compared to controls (31/195).
  • Focal coronary spasm was predominantly observed within the bridging segments.
  • Endothelial dysfunction in the bridging segment was identified as the likely cause.

Conclusions:

  • Myocardial bridging is associated with a higher risk of coronary spasm.
  • Endothelial dysfunction within the myocardial bridging segment contributes to coronary spasm.
  • Findings emphasize the direct impact of myocardial bridging on coronary artery function.

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