[Sudden death by coronary spasm: a particular and often unrecognised clinical entity]

Abstract

The authors report 3 cases of resuscitated sudden death in which the investigations clearly showed coronary spasm. This was demonstrated by systematic coronary angiography with an ergometric test. Two patients underwent electrophysiological investigations which were normal. The three patients were prescribed long-term calcium antagonist therapy and one of them underwent coronary angioplasty. With a follow-up of 6 months to 3 years, there was no clinical recurrence or documented arrhythmia. A review of the literature shows that this is a cause of sudden death which is probably underestimated and unrecognised. Electrophysiological investigations often give disappointing results and medical therapy is the keystone of treatment. Coronary angioplasty and implantation of an automatic defibrillator are second-line treatments reserved to forms refractory to medical therapy.