CLINICAL PATTERNS OF VASOSPASTIC ANGINA

Abstract

Vasospastic angina (angina inversa, variant angina or Prinzmetal angina) is a rare variant of the course of coronary artery disease. Despite a good understanding of its underlying mechanisms (prolonged coronary spasm resulting from endothelial dysfunction) and contributing factors (smoking, exposure to cold weather, cocaine, autoimmune diseases, etc.), the treatment of each individual patient remains a source of discussion. To date, these patients are commonly treated with drugs, especially calcium antagonists and nitrates. The article presents clinical cases of patients with vasospastic angina and discusses their treatment depending on the individual clinical pattern. Early diagnosis of vasospastic angina allows preventing in some cases fatal complications and save patients’ life.