Exercise-induced coronary artery spasm. A regional coronary blood flow study.
Regional myocardial blood flow during exercise was determined using the thermodilution technique in 2 patients suffering from both spontaneous and exertional chest pain. In both cases we observed that effort-related anginal attacks were due to coronary spasm with sudden reduction of regional left ventricular blood flow. In 1 patient the exercise-induced ST-segment elevation in the anterior leads was accompanied by a reduction of flow in the great cardiac vein. In the second patient the exercise-induced ST-segment depression in the lateral leads was accompanied by a reduction of coronary flow in the area supplied by the circumflex artery. In 1 patient, nifedipine was effective in prolonging exercise tolerance by preventing the occurrence of coronary spasm and by increasing blood supply to the ischemic region during exercise.
D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000209:etiology; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003326:Coronary Circulation; D003329:Coronary Vasospasm / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009543:Nifedipine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005082:Physical Exertion; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D013815:Thermodilution
D009543:Nifedipine