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Multivessel coronary artery spasm

J D Richardson1, A J Nelson, S G Worthley

  • 1Cardiovascular Research Centre, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Australia.

Heart, Lung & Circulation
|August 20, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Severe coronary artery spasm affecting all three major arteries is rare and life-threatening. This case highlights emergency management challenges and the prognostic value of cardiac MRI for identifying high-risk patients.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Clinical Case Study

Background:

  • Coronary spasm is a recognized cause of myocardial ischemia.
  • ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction can occasionally result from coronary spasm, typically in a single artery.

Observation:

  • This report details a rare, life-threatening case of severe multivessel coronary spasm affecting all three major epicardial arteries simultaneously.
  • The case presented significant emergency management and ongoing treatment challenges.

Findings:

  • Multivessel coronary spasm poses a malignant prognosis.
  • Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging may offer insights into identifying patients at higher risk post-event.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the critical need for prompt recognition and management of severe coronary spasm.
  • Further research into cardiac MRI's role in risk stratification for multivessel coronary spasm is warranted.

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