Prinzmetal angina

Chest pain due to coronary artery spasm, a sudden constriction of a coronary artery (one of the vessels that supply the heart muscle with blood rich in oxygen) depriving the heart muscle (myocardium) of blood and oxygen. This is also called variant angina. Coronary artery spasm can be triggered by emotional stress, medicines, street drugs (cocaine) or exposure to cold. Treatments include beta-blocker medications and, classically, nitroglycerin to permit the coronary arteries to open up (dilate). Named for the American cardiologist, Myron Prinzmetal (1908-87).

* * *

a variant of angina pectoris, often considered a form of unstable angina, in which the attacks occur during rest, exercise capacity is often well preserved, and attacks are associated electrocardiographically with elevation of the ST segment. Focal spasm of an epicardial coronary artery causes transient abrupt reduction of arterial diameter, resulting in myocardial ischemia. Called also variant a. pectoris and vasospastic a.