Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 10, 2025

Intracoronary Acetylcholine Provocation Testing for Assessment of Coronary Vasomotor Disorders
Published on: August 18, 2016
Arrhythmogenic Isolated Right Coronary Vasospasm
Michael R Kendall1, Blair Tilkens1, Joaquin Solis1
1Aurora Cardiovascular and Thoracic Services, Aurora Sinai/Aurora St Luke's Medical Centers, Aurora Health Care, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.
Background:
Coronary vasomotion disorders, although prevalent among patients with ischemia, remain poorly understood given limited use of invasive functional testing.
Case Summary:
Presented here is a case of isolated severe right-coronary-artery vasospasm with acetylcholine reactivity testing resulting in ventricular arrhythmias.
Discussion:
Determining the type of coronary vasomotion disorder is important for providing the appropriate treatment; therefore, performing invasive functional testing is critical. Although isolated right-coronary-artery vasospasm is rare, if vasospastic angina is of high suspicion, evaluating the right coronary artery is necessary.
Take-Home Messages:
Vasospastic angina can occur in any phase of coronary atherosclerotic disease and result in myocardial infarction or sudden cardiac death. Vasomotor disorders can involve variable regions and combinations of microvascular and epicardial coronary arteries. A comprehensive diagnosis of vasomotor disorders is only possible with reactivity testing, with isolation of both right and left coronary arteries when indicated.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Dysrhythmias IV: Characteristics of Bradyarrhythmias
Disturbances in Heart Rhythm
Arrhythmias are categorized by their speed, rhythm, and origin. A slow heart...
ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias II: Atrial, Junctional and Ventricular Arrhythmias
Cardiomyopathy I: Introduction and Classification
Mechanism of Cardiac Arrhythmias
Coronary Circulation
Coronary circulation begins at the base of the aorta, where two main arteries arise—the left and right coronary arteries. These arteries encircle the heart in the coronary sulcus and supply the...

