Korean Circ J.  2011 Jan;41(1):43-45. 10.4070/kcj.2011.41.1.43.

Isolated Left Main Coronary Artery Spasm Detected by Multidetector Computed Tomography

Affiliations
  • 1Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju, Korea. goodoctor@naver.com
  • 2Department of Radiology, Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine, Jinju, Korea.

Abstract

Although atherosclerotic obstruction is the main cause of left main coronary artery (LMCA) disease, it can also be associated with vasospasm. We report a case of a 61-year-old male who presented with ostial stenosis of the LMCA, detected by 64-slice multi-detector computed tomographic coronary angiography (MDCT-CA). Careful review of MDCT and intravascular ultrasound findings showed suspicion of an isolated spasm of the LMCA without a significant atherosclerotic lesion. The patient was successfully treated with nitrates and a calcium channel blocker.

Keyword

Coronary vessels; Coronary vasospasm; Computed tomography, spiral; Interventional ultrasonography

MeSH Terms

Calcium Channels
Constriction, Pathologic
Coronary Angiography
Coronary Vasospasm
Coronary Vessels
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Multidetector Computed Tomography
Nitrates
Spasm
Tomography, Spiral Computed
Ultrasonography, Interventional
Calcium Channels
Nitrates

Figure

  • Fig. 1 MDCT showed >50% ostial stenosis of the LMCA (A and B). Coronary angiography demonstrated significant narrowing of the LMCA before infusion of nitroglycerine (C) and adequate dilation of the LMCA after infusion of nitroglycerine (D). MDCT: multi-detector computed tomography, LMCA: left main coronary artery.

  • Fig. 2 IVUS imaging after intracoronary administration of 200 µg nitroglycerine showed persistent negative remodeling of the LMCA without significant atherosclerotic change (A). After additional administration of 500 µg nitroglycerin, a dilated LMCA without evidence of negative remodeling was noted (B). IVUS: intravascular ultrasound, LMCA: left main coronary artery.


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