title: Coronary artery spasm: review and update.
abstract: Coronary artery spasm (CAS), an intense vasoconstriction of coronary arteries that causes total or subtotal vessel occlusion, plays an important role in myocardial ischemic syndromes including stable and unstable angina, acute myocardial infarction, and sudden cardiac death. Coronary angiography and provocative testing usually is required to establish a definitive diagnosis. While the mechanisms underlying the development of CAS are still poorly understood, CAS appears to be a multifactorial disease but is not associated with the traditional risk factors for coronary artery disease. The diagnosis of CAS has important therapeutic implications, as calcium antagonists, not β-blockers, are the cornerstone of medical treatment. The prognosis is generally considered benign; however, recurrent episodes of angina are frequently observed. We provide a review of the literature and summarize the current state of knowledge regarding the pathogenesis of CAS.
authors.affiliation: 1. Department of Cardiology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan;
authors.forename: Ming-Jui
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hung
authors.affiliation: 2. International Cardiovascular Institute, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; ; 3. Department of Cardiology, Riverside Medical Clinic, Riverside, California, USA;
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.affiliation: 4. Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; ; 5. Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan; ; 6. Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ming-Yow
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Hung
mesh_terms: D000788:Angina Pectoris, Variant / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D003329:Coronary Vasospasm / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers
keywords: Prinzmetal's angina; coronary artery spasm; provocative testing.