"Torsade de pointes" in a patient with variant angina

Ital Heart J. 2004 Jul;5(7):554-8.

Abstract

Ventricular tachyarrhythmias have been well documented in patients with variant angina. Episodes of torsade de pointes have been described infrequently. We report a case of a 60-year-old male with a previous history of one vessel artery disease and a successful coronary angioplasty with stenting of the left anterior descending artery, who experienced an episode of angina at rest and electrocardiographic evidence of self-terminating torsade de pointes. After a negative coronary angiography and a positive hyperventilation test, the diagnosis of variant angina was considered and beta-blockers discontinued and calcium channel antagonists prescribed. No other episodes of angina were documented during the following 6 months of follow-up.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Angina Pectoris, Variant / complications
  • Angina Pectoris, Variant / diagnosis*
  • Angina Pectoris, Variant / drug therapy
  • Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary / methods
  • Calcium Channel Blockers / therapeutic use
  • Coronary Angiography
  • Coronary Stenosis / complications
  • Coronary Stenosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Coronary Stenosis / therapy
  • Echocardiography, Transesophageal
  • Electrocardiography*
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk Assessment
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Stents
  • Torsades de Pointes / complications
  • Torsades de Pointes / diagnosis*
  • Torsades de Pointes / drug therapy
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Calcium Channel Blockers