Intraoperative Coronary Artery Spasm Successfully Treated with Nitroglycerin and Nifedipine

Coronary artery spasm is recognized as a major cause of angina and may coexist with fixed coronary artery disease. This report presents the case of a patient who developed recurrent coronary artery spasm in the operating room following effective coronary artery bypass grafting. The coronary artery spasm was manifested by sudden ST segment elevation, hypotension, and decreased cardiac output. Direct injection of nitroglycerin into each coronary artery graft was necessary to reverse the coronary artery spasm. Peripheral intravenous nitroglycerin plus nifedipine administered through a nasogastric tube prevented further recurrence of coronary artery spasm.