[Angina pectoris induced by pacemaker syndrome]

Pacemaker syndrome is caused primarily by the lack of atrial kick and by neurocardiogenic reflex mechanisms due to simultaneous atrial and ventricular contractions. The most common clinical symptoms are dyspnoe, hypotension, dizziness and syncopal attacks. A case report of a patient with pacemaker syndrome is presented, in which the main clinical manifestation was a recurrent chest pain. A VVI demand pacemaker was implanted because of sick sinus syndrome ten years ago and shortly afterwards anginal attacks of rest developed. Coronary angiography revealed a non-significant (25%) narrowing of the right coronary artery (RCA). Casual and long-term ambulatory blood pressure (ABPM) measurements elucidated that the patient occasionally has extremely low diastolic blood pressure. This later phenomenon was confirmed and refined by a "beat-to-beat" blood pressure measuring technique. The elimination of the pronounced "beat-to-beat" variability of arterial blood pressure and transient coronary hypoperfusion due to implantation of an AV sequential bifocal pacemaker resulted in a full disappearance of angina pectoris.