Prinzmetal's Variant Angina

"Variant" Angina Pectoris

Classical angina pectoris is characterized by recurrent attacks of retrosternal pain brought on by effort and emotion and relieved by rest and the administration of nitroglycerin. It is well known that this classical syndrome has many variations and modifications. In 1959, and again in 1960, Prinzmetal and his colleagues described what they called a "variant form of angina pectoris." According ...

Statins in Variant Angina

Variant angina pectoris (VAP) is a form of angina pectoris that shows transient ST-segment elevation on electrocardio-gram during an attack of chest pain and is caused by coronary artery spasm. Although the pathogenesis of coronary artery spasm has not been fully elucidated, endothelial dysfunction and enhanced vascular smooth muscle contractility play major roles in the pathogenesis of coronar...

Arrhythmias in Variant Angina Pectoris

Twenty-six patients with variant angina pectoris (VAP) were studied 1) to determine whether the degree of ST-segment elevation and R-wave changes correlate with the development of arrhythmias; and 2) to evaluate the relationship between the prevalence of arrhythmias, the severity of coronary artery disease, left ventricular function and wall motion. Serious arrhythmias were found in 12 patients...

Prinzmetal's Variant Form of Angina Pectoris

Thirty-five patients with typical Prinzmetal's variant angina were studied by coronary cineangiography. There was no demonstrable stenosis of the major coronary arteries in 19 patients. Nine patients with single coronary stenosis underwent aortocoronary bypass and had recurrence of the symptoms postoperatively. Administration of nifedipine effected complete cessation of the symptoms among patie...

Variant Angina: Assessment with Cardiac MDCT