Coronary artery spasm during cardiac angiography

Summary: Unexpected occurrence of coronary artery spasm is sometimes observed during cardiac catheteriza- tion. We report here two cases of coronary artery spasm with hypotension and urticaria subsequent to administra- tion of contrast material. The etiology of coronary artery spasm is discussed. Key words: coronary artery spasm, contrast material, cardiac angiography Introduction Unexpected occurrence of coronary artery spasm has been observed during cardiac catheterization. Some pa- tients with variant angina develop spontaneous attacks of spasm during cardiac catheterization. In others, catheter- induced spasm can be induced by mechanical imtation of the coronary artery. I Reports of coronary artery spasm provoked by coronary arteriography or left ventriculog- raphy have also appeared.2,3 We present two cases of coronary artery spasm with hypotension and urticaria occurring subsequent to adminis- tration of contrast material during cardiac angiography . Address for reprints: Akira Satoh, M.D. Department of Internal Medicine Yamaguchi University School of Medicine