[Prinzmetal's variant angina: a case report]

Prinzmetal's angina is a variant of the classic exertion dependent angina pectoris. Typical is the appearance of the symptoms at rest during early morning hours. It is due to spasms in the coronary arteries. Various provocation tests may be used to trigger spasms, among others hyperventilation which leads to vasoconstriction of coronary arteries. The case of a 53-year-old patient with Prinzmetal's angina is described in whom spasms of the right coronary artery could be evoked by hyperventilation. The following pathogenetic mechanisms may be possible in Prinzmetal's angina: disturbed endothelial permeability, endothelial dysfunction, or secretion of vasoconstrictive substances as well as local hypersensitivity of segments disturbed by atherosclerotic lesions to circulating vasoconstrictors.