[Coronary spasm during coronary arteriography. Classification and interpretative criteria].

Coronary spasm during selective coronary angiography have multiple explanation. In some instances there is no true pathological implication (catether induced spasm), in other instances, instead, a clear relationship with "functional" angina and myocardial infarction exists. Moreover, in few occasions may only be a false positive radiologic image (apparent spasm). The angiographic features of coronary spasm, however, are always the same, indipendently from its clinical significance and pathophysiologic mechanism. In this paper the Authors are not limiting their experience to the morphologic description of this event, rather describe the clinical criteria which, together with angiographic picture, may be useful in the interpretation of the physiopathology of the coronary artery spasm.