Thyrotoxicosis and Coronary Artery Spasm: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

A 51-year old Middle-Eastern man presented with recurrent chest pain associated with ST-segment elevation. The patient was treated with placement of a stent in the right coronary artery. He was subsequently diagnosed with severe hyperthyroidism secondary to Graves disease, which is thought to be the cause of the coronary spasm. The patient was treated with neomercazole and potassium iodide solution, and diltiazem, and nitrates with resolution of his symptoms. This unusual case highlights the importance of considering hyperthyroidism in the differential diagnosis of recurrent chest pain and coronary artery spasm. We suggest routine thyroid function testing in patients with coronary spasm.