Unveiling the invisible culprit: a multimodality approach for myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries diagnosis—a case report

TL;DR

This case report describes a patient with MINOCA diagnosed using a combination of imaging and functional tests, highlighting the importance of a multimodal approach for accurate diagnosis.

Contribution

The paper presents a case emphasizing the use of multimodal diagnostic techniques to identify vasospastic angina as the cause of MINOCA.

Findings

Coronary angiography showed normal arteries but hypoplasia of the right coronary artery.

CMR and acetylcholine provocation confirmed severe coronary spasm as the cause of MINOCA.

Calcium channel blockers like diltiazem are effective in treating vasospastic angina.

Abstract

Myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) affects up to 10% of patients undergoing coronary angiography for acute myocardial infarction. Despite the lack of obstructive lesions, these patients face significant risks, requiring thorough diagnostic evaluations, often using both invasive and non-invasive methods. Recent guidelines emphasize the importance of performing intravascular imaging, coronary functional testing (CFT), and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in the working diagnosis of MINOCA.

A 48-year-old woman presented with chest pain, elevated cardiac troponins, and signs of non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction. Echocardiography showed normal left ventricular ejection fraction with focal inferior-lateral mid-apical hypokinesia and no significant valvular heart disease. Coronary angiography revealed normal arteries with hypoplasia of the right coronary artery. Further testing, including CMR and CFT with acetylcholine provocation, confirmed severe coronary spasm, diagnosing epicardial vasospastic angina causing MINOCA.

Diagnosing MINOCA is challenging and requires a multimodal approach. Invasive testing can reveal vasospasm or microvascular dysfunction. This case emphasizes the need for repeated imaging and functional tests to reach a diagnosis. Calcium channel blockers like diltiazem are commonly used in treatment.

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