Vasospastic angina pectoris is characterized by an anginal attack arising from a reversible spasm of the coronary arteries. Sudden cessation of the blood flow can lead to myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death. Some studies suggest that coronary arteries’ spasm is associated with myocarditis.

OBJECTIVE

To demonstrate a rare clinical case of variant angina pectoris development in presence of acute myocarditis in a young woman.

CASE REPORT

Patient, 41 years old, was admitted with complaints of a paroxysmal pressing retrosternal pain with radiation to the back, cough during a pain attack with blood expectoration, dyspnea at rest, feeling short of breath. Pulmonary artery thromboembolism, pneumonia, acute myocardial infarction were excluded. Attacks of retrosternal pain were accompanied by transient changes on the electrocardiogram, coronary spasm has been proven in coronary angiography. «Myocarditis» diagnosis was confirmed by MRI.

CONCLUSION

The importance of performing precise differential diagnosis in patients with anginal pain has been shown. The possible development of coronary arteries spasm in presence of acute myocarditis must be taken into consideration.