Differential diagnosis of angina pectoris in the practice of the regional vascular center: a clinical observation

Abstract

The leading cause of myocardial ischemia in case of coronary atherosclerosis and coronary vasospasm combination in one patient is difficult to establish. However, it is important to know for optimal treatment strategy: choosing between beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers as a preferred treatment, need for percutaneous coronary intervention. We present a case of a 56-yearold patient who was admitted with acute coronary syndrome without ST-segment elevation, low Killip class, and low GRACE score. Stress echocardiography revealed inducible transmural myocardial ischemia (regional wall motion abnormalities and ST segment elevation on the ECG) accompanied by polymorphic ventricular tachycardia. The coronary angiography showed single-vessel moderate stenosis in the left anterior descending artery. There were no changes in comparison with previous angiography. The patient was considered to have vasospastic angina. A probable mechanism is coronary artery spasm at the site of the atherosclerotic plaque. The article is discussed the difficulties in diagnosing vasospastic angina, especially in the presence of borderline stenosis in the coronary artery. We reviewed similar cases and discussed the difficulties of a vasospastic angina diagnosis especially in the presence of moderate coronary artery stenosis, the role of the provocative tests, and the pharmacological management. Demonstrating, discussing and analyzing cases of patients with a combined mechanism of myocardial ischemia is substantiated for further improving their diagnosis and treatment.