Abstract 14202: Vasospastic Angina as a Potential Cause of Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19

Abstract

Introduction: Although evidence-based practice of has progressed, little is known about underlying mechanisms of chest pain symptoms in patients with post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) and preferred approaches for their assessment. Several mechanisms underlying COVID-19-related endothelial dysfunction have been proposed. The purpose of this study was to explore the prevalence of vasospastic angina as a cause of chest pain in PASC patients. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 273 consecutive patients who presented to an outpatient unit for cardiovascular PASC between June 2021 and March 2023. After the initial evaluation with electro- and echocardiography, coronary computed tomography angiography or cardiac magnetic resonance imaging were performed to rule out obstructive coronary artery disease and myopericarditis if patients had intermittent chest pain and had no contraindications to these tests. When the patients’ chest pain mainly occurred at night and in the morning or was resolved by nitrates, invasive coronary angiography and acetylcholine provocation testing were performed to diagnose vasospastic angina. Results: Eight of 273 patients with PASC underwent acetylcholine provocation testing. The median time from the diagnosis of SARS-CoV2 infection to acetylcholine provocation testing was 197 (interquartile range, 120-542) days. The mean age of the patients was 37.1 years; two required oxygen support during acute COVID-19; and none had previous history of cardiovascular disease ( Figure ). Five of the 8 patients showed acetylcholine-induced multivessel coronary vasospasm and were diagnosed as vasospastic angina. Their chest pain improved with calcium channel blockers and nitrates, whereas nonfatal myocardial infarction occurred in one patient after the diagnosis of vasospastic angina. Conclusions: Our observational case series suggest that vasospastic angina should be considered as a potential cause of PASC.