Coronary Artery Vasospasm: A Under-recognized Phenomenon in Orthotopic Heart Transplant

Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is known as the primary cause of death in the first year after orthotopic heart transplant (OHT). Coronary artery spasm (CAS) in OHT is a rare and under-recognized phenomenon in patients undergoing surveillance. The mechanism of coronary vasospasm in OHT remain largely unknown. The presentation can vary from an incidental finding to severe episodes of symptomatic ventricular arrhythmias, high-degree atrioventricular block, syncope, cardiac arrest, or even myocardial infarction in cases of prolonged ischemia.

Source: Journal of Cardiac Failure - September 30, 2020 Category: Cardiology Authors: Luis Hernandez, Hardik Bhansali, Nader Hanna, Kevin Leung, Nicholas Ghiloni, Diana Miranda Ruiz, Jose Sleiman, Eduardo Perez, Monica Segura, Cedric Sheffield, Jose Navia, Nicolas Brozzi, Robert Cubeddu, Mauricio Velez, Viviana Navas, Stephen Leslie Tobias Tags: 459 Source Type: research