Collateral flow detected by a Doppler guide wire in a case of vasospastic angina

We could detect recruitable backward collateral flow in systole and diastole by using a Doppler guide wire during coronary artery spasm in a 42-year-old female among 20 patients with documented variant angina. The electrocardiogram (ECG) showed no ST-segment deviation, although she had chest pain and her coronary angiography showed a totally occluded right coronary artery. After administration of isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) the collateral flow disappeared and the flow pattern recovered to normal. The good collateral flow pattern in patient with totally occluded coronary artery due to spasm was indicated to relieve myocardial ischemia, even when the patient felt chest pain.