Coronary spasm, a pathogenic trigger of vulnerable plaque rupture.

OBJECTIVE

This coronary artery spasm review aimed to explore the most possible pathogenic trigger mechanism of vulnerable plaque rupture.

DATA SOURCES

Data used in this coronary artery spasm review were mainly from Medline and Pubmed in English.

STUDY SELECTION

These reports from major review on coronary artery spasm. and these research included coronary artery conception, pathogenesis of spasm, mechanisms of plaque rupture, epidemiological evidence, clinical manifestation and the relationship between coronary artery spasm and vulnerable plaque rupture.

RESULTS

Coronary artery spasm is somehow related to the presence of atherosclerotic intima disease in the coronary artery. However, chronic low-grade inflammation causes coronary vessel smooth muscle cell hypersensitivity, which can directely cause coronary artery spasm. Myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death may be initiated by a sudden intense localized contraction of coronary artery smooth muscle.

CONCLUSION

Coronary artery spasm may be one trigger that can initiate and exacerbate vulnerable plaque rupture.