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Updated: May 21, 2026
06:39
Intracoronary Acetylcholine Provocation Testing for Assessment of Coronary Vasomotor Disorders
Published on: August 18, 2016
[Cardiac arrest caused by coronary arterial vasospasm]
Katrine Mikala Müllertz1, Henrik Steen Hansen
1Kardiologisk Afdeling, Svendborg Sygehus, Valdemarsgade 53, 5700 Svendborg, Denmark. kat.mikala@gmail.com
Ugeskrift for Laeger
|June 12, 2012
Summary
Coronary vasospasm can cause life-threatening cardiac events. Prompt treatment with calcium antagonists and ICD implantation effectively managed these patients, preventing further arrhythmias.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiac Electrophysiology
Background:
- Coronary arterial vasospasm is a potential cause of serious cardiac events, including myocardial infarction, ventricular arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death.
- ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction can be triggered by coronary vasospasm.
Observation:
- Two cases of coronary vasospasm leading to ST-segment elevation and cardiac arrest were reported.
- Coronary arteriography identified transient occlusions that resolved after nitroglycerine administration.
Findings:
- Both patients received treatment with calcium antagonists.
- An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) was successfully implanted in both individuals.
- No tachyarrhythmias were detected in the year following ICD implantation.
Implications:
- Calcium antagonists and ICDs are effective in managing coronary vasospasm-induced cardiac arrest.
- This management strategy can prevent recurrent life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias.
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