Relief of Refractory Angina With Vericiguat

Refractory angina represents a challenging clinical symptom, with limited therapeutic options beyond conventional antianginal therapy and revascularization.

A 43-year-old man with a history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and coronary atherosclerotic heart disease presented with persistent angina pectoris, classified as Canadian Cardiovascular Society class IV, despite being on optimized antianginal therapy including calcium-channel blockers, nitrates, and other adjunctive medications. His Seattle Angina Questionnaire score was 12.61. Introduction of vericiguat 10 mg daily resulted in marked symptom improvement, with Seattle Angina Questionnaire score increasing to 57.35 and angina classification improving to class II.

This represents to our knowledge the first documented use of vericiguat for refractory angina. Vericiguat stimulates soluble guanylate cyclase and enhances cyclic GMP production, improving endothelial dysfunction and impaired vasodilation; this may be the mechanism by which it relieves refractory angina.

Vericiguat may offer therapeutic benefit in refractory angina patients unresponsive to conventional therapy. Further investigation is warranted.