We evaluated coronary stenting in nine patients with clinically severe, angiographically documented spasm refractory to aggressive pharmacologic management. No patient subsequently developed unstable ischemia requiring hospitalization as a consequence of recurrent spasm within the stent. Mechanisms of therapeutic failure included both persistent spasm and spasm in a different artery in one patient. Restenosis occurred in three patients who subsequently underwent repeat revascularization. In the rare, carefully selected patient, stents may represent an adjunct in the management of focal coronary artery spasm, although currently medical therapy remains the standard initial approach.
Copyright 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.