Prinzmetal Angina Pectoris

Prinzmetal angina pectoris is a special type of angina, not as common as stable or unstable forms of angina. Most patients suffer from feeling of retrosternal crushing or pain. Attacks last a few minutes and stop spontaneously or by administration of nitrates. Presence of chest pain, ST -segment elevation in ECG and regression of these findings with minutes, and absence of changes in cardiac enzymes are characteristics of Prinzmetal angina pectoris. Even though calcium channel blockers and nitrates are often effective in treatment, acute myocardial infarction, life-threatening arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death may occur. In this review, we attempted to summarize some important points on Prinzmetal angina pectoris.