[Hyperventilation test: a noninvasive screening test for coronary vasospasm]

3 patients with coronary vasospasms in different clinical situations are presented. One patient had typical Prinzmetal angina but coronary arteries without significant stenosis. One patient without typical angina pectoris showed sudden significant ST elevations on anterior and lateral ECG tracings accompanied by typical ischemic chest pain. At angiography, a 70% LAD stenosis was found without high degree lesions. One patient (aged 30 years) had a documented anterior infarction with angiographically normal coronary arteries. In all these cases coronary vasospasms were recognized as the underlying cause of the symptoms. All the patients were treated with calcium channel blockers and have been asymptomatic since. Currently available data comparing the diagnostic value of hyperventilation with other tests for coronary vasospasms, such as ergonovine or acetylcholine, are discussed. The hyperventilation test can be recommended as the first test in the work up of suspected vasospastic angina pectoris.