Refractory Ventricular Fibrillation Associated With a Coronary Vasospasm and Fixed Moderate Coronary Stenosis

A coronary vasospasm is an important but under-recognized cause of ventricular fibrillation, particularly when angiography shows a nonocclusive fixed coronary lesion.

A previously healthy 36-year-old man presented with recurrent early-morning chest pain followed by refractory ventricular fibrillation requiring venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Coronary angiography showed moderate proximal left anterior descending artery stenosis with functionally significant ischemia. However, optical coherence tomography revealed no plaque rupture or thrombus. Because the coronary anatomy was discordant with the severity of presentation, acetylcholine provocation testing was performed under circulatory support and confirmed a severe coronary vasospasm.

This case highlights the importance of a mechanism-based evaluation in survivors of malignant ventricular arrhythmias.

When fixed coronary findings do not fully explain the clinical presentation, a coronary vasospasm should be considered. In selected high-risk patients, carefully performed pharmacologic provocation testing under the appropriate hemodynamic support may be essential for establishing the diagnosis.