Cardioneuroablation for Vagally Mediated Coronary Artery Spasm With High-Grade Atrioventricular Block and Vasovagal
Hongyi Zhao1, Zemin Yang2, Bohua Li2
1Department of Cardiology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Hubei Key Laboratory of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Wuhan University, Wuhan, PR China.
Insights
Coronary artery spasm (CAS) can cause syncope due to vagal overactivity. Cardioneuroablation (CNA) successfully treated a patient with refractory, vagally mediated CAS and syncope.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Autonomic Nervous System Research
- Electrophysiology
Background:
- Coronary artery spasm (CAS) is linked to ischemia, arrhythmias, and syncope, often without obstructive coronary disease.
- A parasympathetic-dominant phenotype is increasingly recognized as a cause of CAS and related symptoms.
- Refractory syncope can significantly impact patient quality of life.
Background:
Coronary artery spasm (CAS) may cause ischemia, malignant arrhythmias, and syncope without obstructive coronary disease; a parasympathetic-dominant phenotype is increasingly recognized.
Case Summary:
A 64-year-old man with >7 years of recurrent syncope had Holter documentation of transient inferior ST-segment elevation during sleep followed by high-grade atrioventricular block. Coronary angiography showed no significant stenosis, and head-up tilt testing was positive (mixed type). Cardioneuroablation (CNA) targeting atrial ganglionated plexi abolished vagal responses and improved electrophysiologic indices. Postprocedural Holter showed no recurrent ST-segment elevation or atrioventricular block, and he remained symptom-free at 1-month follow-up.
Discussion:
The close sequence of ST-segment elevation and functional atrioventricular block supports a unified vagally mediated mechanism linking CAS and reflex syncope; CNA may be a mechanistically targeted option in selected refractory cases.
Take-Home Messages:
Nocturnal ST-segment elevation with bradyarrhythmia suggests parasympathetic-dominant CAS. CNA can interrupt this autonomic cascade in carefully selected patients.
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