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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 14, 2025

Interventional Diagnostic Procedure: A Practical Guide for the Assessment of Coronary Vascular Function

Interventional Diagnostic Procedure: A Practical Guide for the Assessment of Coronary Vascular Function

Published on: March 15, 2022

[Vasospastic angina : an underdiagnosed pathology].

Antoine Baroz¹, Yazan Musayeb¹, Sophie Degrauwe¹

¹Service de cardiologie, Département de médecine, Hôpitaux universitaires de Genève, 1211 Genève 14.

Revue Medicale Suisse

|September 6, 2024

Summary

Vasospastic angina, a variant of chest pain, is often misdiagnosed despite leading to dangerous arrhythmias. Early recognition and specific therapies are crucial for managing this condition.

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Area of Science:

Cardiology
Internal Medicine

Background:

Vasospastic angina (VSA), initially described as a variant of angina pectoris, is now recognized as an endotype of myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA).
Diagnostic criteria for VSA have been proposed by expert consensus, but the condition is frequently overlooked in clinical practice.

Purpose of the Study:

To highlight the importance of recognizing vasospastic angina.
To emphasize the distinct therapeutic strategies for VSA compared to atherosclerotic coronary artery disease.

Main Methods:

Review of historical descriptions and current categorization of VSA.
Discussion of diagnostic criteria and the role of provocative testing during coronary angiography.
Analysis of clinical presentation and potential consequences of missed diagnosis.

Main Results:

VSA is often misdiagnosed due to neglected clinical presentation.
Provocative testing, the gold standard, is underutilized.
Untreated VSA can precipitate life-threatening arrhythmias.

Conclusions:

Vasospastic angina requires specific diagnostic attention and management.
Effective therapies for VSA differ significantly from those for atherosclerotic coronary artery disease.
Timely diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent severe cardiac events.