Type 1 Kounis syndrome: recurrent myocardial infarctions in a patient with aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease: a case report

Abstract

Introduction. We present a case of type 1 Kounis syndrome in a patient with recurrent myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) due to allergic coronary vasospasm. Awareness of doctors about this pathology will allow identifying the MINOCA causes and prescribing pathogenetic treatment.Brief description. A 51-year-old woman with aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (asthma, rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis, aspirin hypersensitivity, eosinophilia) without cardiovascular risk factors developed three recurrent myocardial infarctions against the background of vasospastic angina over a 6-month period. Despite the typical clinical performance, stable ST segment elevation, unchanged coronary arteries on coronary angiography, the vasospastic MI was not immediately established. The patient received long-term treatment for type 1 MI, including beta-blockers. Recurrent MI occurred against the background of an asthma attack. During the second and third hospitalization for MI, coronary angiography revealed a spasm of the right coronary artery, which completely resolved with the nitroglycerin administration. Intracoronary ultrasound made it possible to rule out atherosclerotic involvement of the infarct-related artery. Subsequently, microvascular angina developed, which was confirmed by positron emission tomography. Vasospastic angina in combination with microvascular angina, MIBOCA with asthma attacks, were regarded as type 1 Kounis syndrome. Over the next 2 years, the patient received pathogenetic treatment, and no recurrent cardiovascular events were observed.Discussion. Lack of awareness about Kounis syndrome led to incomplete examination of the patient with MIBOCA and the prescription of pathogenetically unreasonable tehrapy, which could contribute to recurrent MI within 6 months.