coronary artery vasospasm

coronary artery vasospasm

Acute coronary insufficiency, anterior chest wall syndrome, coronary artery spasm, coronary vasoconstriction, Prinzmetal's angina, variant angina, vasospastic angina Cardiology A condition characterized by sudden and usually transient vasoconstriction of a coronary artery with ↓ myocardial O2 Clinical Severe, crushing, chest pain at rest and ST segment deviation Precipitating factors Emotional stress, medications, street drugs–cocaine, cold exposure, stress, vasoconstrictors Diagnosis Normal angiogram, ST segment ↑ EKG ST segment deviation–usually ↑ without preceding ↑ in heart rate or BP Management Nitrates, nifedipine or diltiazem with aspirin; slow CCBs–eg, verapamil, may contribute to AV block. Cf Angina pectoris.