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Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Interventional Diagnostic Procedure: A Practical Guide for the Assessment of Coronary Vascular Function
Published on: March 15, 2022
Dynamic Resolution of Coronary Vasospasm: The Clasp-Knife Sign.
Ali Sezgin1, Hacı Ali Kurklu1, Ayse Avara1
1Department of Cardiology, Ankara Etlik City Hospital, Ankara, Türkiye.
Coronary vasospasm can mimic heart attacks, leading to unnecessary procedures. Recognizing the "clasp-knife sign" on angiography helps distinguish vasospasm from clots, guiding appropriate conservative management.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Interventional Cardiology
- Vascular Medicine
Background:
- Coronary vasospasm can present with symptoms mimicking acute coronary syndromes.
- Failure to recognize vasospasm may result in inappropriate percutaneous coronary intervention.
- ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) can be mimicked by coronary vasospasm.
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