Severe diffuse coronary artery spasm in the early phase of cardiogenic shock

Int J Cardiol. 2009 May 29;134(3):e103-4. doi: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2008.01.008. Epub 2008 May 20.

Abstract

Coronary artery vasospasm rarely appears as a diffuse phenomenon that involves all the coronary tree. We present a clinical case of acute myocardial infarction complicated by ventricular fibrillation and cardiogenic shock. Urgent coronary angiography showed occlusion of proximal Circumflex coronary artery and a TIMI I flow in the left anterior descending artery due to severe, diffuse coronary vasospasm. Patient was successfully treated with intra-aortic balloon pump and intracoronary bolus of nitroglycerin with restoration of flow in left coronary branches and complete resolution of shock.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • Coronary Vasospasm / complications*
  • Coronary Vasospasm / diagnosis*
  • Coronary Vasospasm / therapy
  • Electric Countershock / methods
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Shock, Cardiogenic / complications*
  • Shock, Cardiogenic / diagnosis*
  • Shock, Cardiogenic / therapy