03-27-2007, 04:41 PM
A 35-year-old male with no past medical history presents with severe substernal chest pain while at rest for 2 h with associated shortness of breath and vomiting. His only habit is tobacco abuse, and he takes no medications. Physical exam shows normal vital signs, and cardiac and pulmonary exams are normal. An electrocardiogram shows ST-segment elevation in leads V1 through V4. Cardiac catheterization is performed and shows spasm in the left anterior descending artery that is relieved with intracoronary nitroglycerine. Which of the following statements is correct?
A. This patient with Prinzmetal's angina is unlikely to have any significant stenoses in the coronary arteries.
B. The left anterior descending artery is the most common site for focal spasm in patients with Prinzmetal's angina.
C. Hyperventilation can be used to provoke transient ST elevation and coronary spasm in patients with Prinzmetal's angina.
D. Medical management of this patient should include beta blockers.
E. Aspirin is indicated to decrease the severity of ischemic episodes.
A. This patient with Prinzmetal's angina is unlikely to have any significant stenoses in the coronary arteries.
B. The left anterior descending artery is the most common site for focal spasm in patients with Prinzmetal's angina.
C. Hyperventilation can be used to provoke transient ST elevation and coronary spasm in patients with Prinzmetal's angina.
D. Medical management of this patient should include beta blockers.
E. Aspirin is indicated to decrease the severity of ischemic episodes.