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Left ventriculography induced coronary artery spasm
Clinical Cardiology
|October 1, 1984
Insights
Angiographic contrast media can cause coronary artery spasm, contrary to common belief. A patient experienced right coronary artery spasm after left ventricular angiography, successfully treated with calcium channel blockers.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Radiology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Angiographic contrast media are typically viewed as vasodilators.
- However, in vitro studies suggest these agents can induce arterial spasm.
- Clinical evidence linking contrast media to coronary spasm is limited.
Abstract:
Angiographic contrast material is generally considered a vasodilator, although in vitro experiments have documented a spasmogenic effect. In this report we describe a patient with exercise and rest angina who developed spasm of the right coronary artery immediately following left ventricular angiography. The patient was treated successfully with calcium channel blockers. This is the first reported case of left ventricular angiography-induced coronary artery spasm.