Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 20, 2026

Intracoronary Acetylcholine Provocation Testing for Assessment of Coronary Vasomotor Disorders
Published on: August 18, 2016
[Severe coronary vasospasm]
Jorge Humberto Guardado1, Hugo Vinhas, Cristina Martins
1Serviço de Cardiologia, Hospital Garcia de Orta, EPE Almada, Portugal. jobeguardado@gmail.com
Insights
A patient on dialysis experienced a sudden drop in blood pressure and cardiogenic shock after coronary angioplasty. Intracoronary verapamil reversed these acute coronary syndrome symptoms, restoring blood flow and stabilizing the patient.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Interventional Cardiology
- Nephrology
Background:
- A 50-year-old male patient with end-stage renal disease on dialysis presented with acute coronary syndrome.
- Coronary angiography identified focal lesions in the left anterior descending and circumflex arteries, necessitating ad-hoc angioplasty with direct stenting.
Abstract:
A 50-year-old man, with chronic kidney disease and on dialysis, underwent coronary angiography in the context of acute coronary syndrome, which revealed focal lesions (type A) in the proximal left anterior descending and mid circumflex arteries. Ad-hoc angioplasty was performed on both lesions with direct stenting. An immediate drop in arterial blood pressure was observed and the angiogram showed new lesions with reduced flow throughout the coronary tree, progressing to cardiogenic shock and electromechanical dissociation. During cardiopulmonary resuscitation maneuvers, intracoronary verapamil was administered and TIMI 3 flow, sinus rhythm and a rise in blood pressure were obtained. Clinical stability was progressively restored. The patient was discharged medicated with calcium channel blockers and nitrates. During follow-up, he was twice readmitted for unstable angina. Coronary angiography revealed findings that could easily have been interpreted as new obstructive lesions, but these resolved after administration of intracoronary nitrates.
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