Abstract
BackgroundDipyridamole stress is commonly used for myocardial perfusion imaging and is generally safe. Myocardial ischaemia can occasionally occur and is classically thought to be due to coronary steal as a result of redistribution of flow away from collateral dependent myocardium. Although ischaemia more commonly presents as electrocardiographic (ECG) ST depression and angina, ST-elevation myocardial infarction may occur as a very rare complication.Case summaryWe report a case of a patient who developed chest pain and ST depression during dipyridamole infusion. The pain persisted despite intravenous aminophylline with new inferior ST elevation soon after. Coronary angiography showed subtotal right coronary artery occlusion with no collateral supply. The symptoms and ECG changes resolved after percutaneous coronary intervention.DiscussionCoronary steal may not fully account for our patient’s presentation given the failure of aminophylline and absent angiographic collaterals. Vasospasm may be triggered by dipyridamole and can directly cause ischaemia or provoke rupture of an unstable plaque. Augmentation of cardiac energetics during vasodilator stress may also play a role.
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
