Intractable right coronary artery spasm in the early postoperative period after heart transplantation: a case report

Abstract

Coronary artery spasm after heart transplantation is a very rare complication. In one observational study and many anecdotal reports, most cases of coronary artery spasm occurred more than 1 year after surgery and had good outcomes. However, cases of intractable coronary artery spasm during the early postoperative period resulting in fatality are limited. This report presents a case of two cardiac arrests caused by coronary artery spasms within a short period of time after heart transplantation.

Keywords

• heart transplantation; coronary vasospasm; coronary angiography; intravascular ultrasound; myocardial revascularization; case reports