Prinzmetal's variant angina

syndrome of chest pain occurring at rest and associated with electrocardiographic ST segment elevation. It is due to coronary artery spasm of an angiographically normal artery or at the site of a fixed atherosclerotic stenosis. Coronary arterial spasm can cause myocardial infarction, ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death. Definitive diagnosis is established by demonstrating reversible stenosis or occlusion of a coronary artery during coronary arteriography. During arteriography, stenosis can occur spontaneously or can be provoked by ergonovine test. The stenosis is relieved or abolished by the administration of nitroglycerin.

CBH