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Updated: May 29, 2026

Intracoronary Acetylcholine Provocation Testing for Assessment of Coronary Vasomotor Disorders
Published on: August 18, 2016
Multivessel versus single vessel spasm, as assessed by the intracoronary acetylcholine provocation test, in Korean
Ji Young Park1, Seung-Woon Rha, Zhe Jin
1Cardiovascular Center, Korea University Guro Hospital, Seoul, Korea.
Insights
Multivessel coronary artery spasm (MVS) is linked to more severe ischemia than single vessel spasm (SVS). Peripheral artery disease and baseline spasm independently predict MVS, indicating a need for intensive therapy in MVS patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Vascular Medicine
- Diagnostic Testing
Background:
- Coronary artery spasm (CAS) is a significant cause of myocardial ischemia.
- Multivessel coronary spasm (MVS) typically results in more severe and prolonged myocardial ischemia compared to single vessel spasm (SVS).
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare clinical and angiographic characteristics of patients with MVS, SVS, and no coronary artery spasm (non-CAS).
- To identify predictors of acetylcholine (ACh)-induced MVS.
Main Methods:
- A total of 1082 patients without significant coronary artery disease underwent acetylcholine (ACh) provocation testing.
- Patients were categorized into MVS (n=275), SVS (n=376), and non-CAS (n=431) groups.
- Clinical data, baseline characteristics, and ACh test responses were analyzed.
Main Results:
- MVS patients exhibited higher prevalence of peripheral artery disease (PAD), hyperlipidaemia, smoking, older age, and higher triglycerides.
- MVS group showed increased chest pain, ischemic ECG changes, baseline spasms, and more diffuse/severe spasms during ACh testing.
- PAD and baseline spasm were independent predictors of ACh-induced MVS (OR 2.0 and 1.4, respectively).
Conclusions:
- Ischemic symptoms, diffuse/severe spasm, and baseline spasm are more common in MVS patients.
- MVS patients may require more intensive medical management and closer clinical follow-up.
- Identifying predictors like PAD and baseline spasm aids in managing MVS patients.
Abstract:
1. Coronary artery spasm (CAS) is known to be a major cause of myocardial ischaemia. Multivessel coronary spasm (MVS) in particular is likely to induce more severe and prolonged myocardial ischaemia than single vessel spasm (SVS). 2. In the present study, a total of 1082 consecutive patients without significant coronary artery disease who underwent an acetylcholine (ACh) provocation test between March 2004 and April 2009 were investigated. Patients were divided into three groups: an MVS group (n = 275), an SVS group (n = 376) and a non-CAS group (n = 431). Differences in clinical and angiographic characteristics following the ACh provocation test were evaluated between the MVS, SVS and non-CAS groups. 3. At baseline, patients in the MVS group had the highest prevalence of peripheral artery disease (PAD), hyperlipidaemia, smoking and old age, as well as the highest triglyceride levels. Calcium channel blockers were most frequently prescribed in MVS patients before the ACh test. During the ACh test, the highest prevalence of chest pain, ischaemic electrocardiogram changes, baseline spasms and diffuse and severe spasms were observed in the MVS group. The response rate to lower ACh doses that induce CAS was also higher in the MVS group. Multivariate analysis showed that the presence of PAD (odds ratio (OR) 2.0; P = 0.006) and baseline spasm (OR 1.4; P = 0.045) were independent predictors of ACh-induced MVS. 4. In conclusion, ischaemic symptoms, diffuse and severe spasm and baseline spasm were more frequently associated with MVS patients, suggesting more intensive medical therapies and close clinical follow up would be required for this patient group.
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