[Variant angina pectoris with demonstration of coronary spasm. Diagnostic and therapeutic considerations]

Eight patients with typical Prinzmetal's angina and angiography proven coronary artery spasm are reviewed. In all cases the angina pain appeared at rest and was accompanied by a simultaneous ST-segment elevation. The coronary angiography results varied from severe multivessel disease (3 cases) to single vessel disease (3 cases), and normal coronary arteries (2 cases). In all patients a coronary spasm was documented, in five cases induced by ergonovine and in three spontaneously; in all patients but in one, the localization of the spasm was concordant with the ST-segment elevation localization. One case with a severe proximal left anterior descending stenosis was grafted; however the pain was not relieved despite treatment with large amounts of propranolol. This patient died after an episode of severe chest pain. Treatment with nifedipine was given to six patients, with excellent results in four cases, and regular response in two. The main physiopathologic diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of the variant angina syndrome are reviewed.