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Recurrent variant angina pectoris due to Behçet's syndrome
Zhuang Tian1, Shuyang Zhang, Qingjun Wu
1Department of Cardiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science & Peking Union Medical College, China.
Internal Medicine (Tokyo, Japan)
|November 2, 2011
Summary
Recurrent variant angina pectoris, a type of chest pain, can be caused by Behçet's syndrome. Immunosuppressant treatment effectively resolved both angina and oral ulcers in this case.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Rheumatology
- Immunology
Background:
- Variant angina pectoris (coronary vasospasm) can present without obstructive coronary artery disease.
- Behçet's syndrome is a multisystem inflammatory disorder with variable clinical manifestations.
Observation:
- A patient experienced recurrent variant angina despite antispastic medication.
- Coronary angiography showed no significant coronary lesions.
- Diagnosis of Behçet's syndrome was confirmed by recurrent oral/genital ulcers and skin lesions.
Findings:
- The patient's variant angina was attributed to coronary vasospasm secondary to Behçet's syndrome.
- Treatment with immunosuppressants led to the resolution of both angina and oral ulcers, indicating disease control.
Implications:
- This case highlights Behçet's syndrome as a potential cause of coronary vasospasm and variant angina.
- Immunosuppressive therapy may be crucial for managing cardiac manifestations in Behçet's syndrome.
- Suggests a need for considering systemic inflammatory conditions in unexplained vasospastic angina.
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