Multivessel coronary artery spasm

Abstract

Coronary spasm is increasingly recognised as an important aetiological mechanism causing myocardial ischaemia. Occasionally cases present with evidence of ST segment elevation myocardial infarction, usually secondary to spasm confined to a solitary coronary artery. We present the rare and life-threatening case of severe coronary spasm afflicting all three major epicardial arteries simultaneously. It describes the difficult emergency scenario and ongoing management dilemmas encountered by physicians confronted with multivessel coronary spasm. Moreover we discuss the malignant prognosis associated with this ailment and describe the potential insights provided by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging that might identify those at greatest risk after the index event.