Effectiveness of an antiplatelet agent for coronary artery ectasia associated with silent myocardial ischemia

Jpn Heart J. 2001 Mar;42(2):249-54. doi: 10.1536/jhj.42.249.

Abstract

A 74-year-old Japanese male was referred to our hospital because of an abnormal electrocardiogram. The electrocardiogram revealed tall P waves in leads II, III, and aV(F). Echocardiography disclosed hypokinesis extending from the anteroseptal region to the apex. Iodine-123 15-(p-iodophenyl)-3-(R,S)-methylpentadecanoic acid (123-BMIPP) scintigraphy revealed reduced uptake from the anteroseptal region to the apex. Coronary arteriography demonstrated diffuse dilatation of the right and left coronary arteries without organic stenosis, and left ventriculography showed hypokinesis at the same area. Furthermore, the coronary flow reserve in the left anterior descending artery was decreased. He was treated with an antiplatelet agent. Ten months later, the left ventriculography, 123I-BMIPP scintigraphy findings and coronary flow reserve were normalized. These findings demonstrate that antiplatelet therapy may be useful in the preservation of left ventricular function in patients with coronary artery ectasia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Coronary Angiography
  • Coronary Circulation
  • Coronary Disease / drug therapy*
  • Coronary Disease / pathology*
  • Coronary Disease / physiopathology
  • Dilatation, Pathologic / drug therapy
  • Fatty Acids
  • Heart / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Iodine Radioisotopes
  • Iodobenzenes
  • Male
  • Myocardial Contraction
  • Myocardial Ischemia / complications*
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Radionuclide Imaging

Substances

  • Fatty Acids
  • Iodine Radioisotopes
  • Iodobenzenes
  • Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors
  • iodofiltic acid