Diffuse multi-vessel coronary artery spasm: incidence and clinical prognosis.

BACKGROUND

The incidence and clinical prognosis of diffuse and multivessel coronary spasm has not been reported.

METHODS

Patients with suspected vasospastic angina were prospectively enrolled. Left and right coronary angiogram was performed simultaneously after intravenous ergonovine injection. Spasm (>70% luminal narrowing) was sub-classified as diffuse (more than 20mm length), multivessel (more than 2 epicardial arteries). Clinical characteristics and prognosis were analyzed.

RESULTS

Patients (96 consecutive patients, 56 males, mean age 48 years) were divided into 3 groups: diffuse-multivessel spasm (group I, n=16, 16.7%), other types of spasm (group II, n=12, 12.5%) and control group (group III, n=68, 70.8%). The rates of males, alcohol drinkers and the mean triglyceride were higher, and high density lipoprotein was lower in group I compared to group III (all p<0.05), but similar to group II (all p=NS). Hard cardiovascular event rates did not differ among groups (one cardiac arrest but successful resuscitation in group I, one non-fatal myocardial infarction in group III) during follow up periods (mean, 41.2 ± 13.7 months). Chest pain free survivals during 1 year were lower in group I (66.7%) compared to group III (90%), but similar to group II (58.3%) (group I vs III, p<0.05 and group I vs II, p=NS).

CONCLUSIONS

Diffuse-multivessel spasm was not rare in patients with vasospastic angina and its prognosis is pretty good similar to patients with previously known variant angina with recommended medical treatment.