Menstrual Cycle Influences Symptoms and Vasodilation in Variant Angina

Variant angina produces chest pains that are associated with ST-segment elevation, that generally occur at rest, and that are promptly relieved by nitroglycerin. Many patients with variant angina have minimal fixed obstructions in the coronary arteries but develop coronary spasm, which induces symptoms and ECG changes. In this study, Japanese researchers carefully examined the occurrence of myocardial ischemia and changes in vasodilation throughout 1 menstrual cycle in 10 women with a catheterization-proven diagnosis of coronary artery spasm. Ischemia was detected by continuous 24-hour ambulatory ECG monitoring; each episode was defined as at least 1 minute of ST-segment elevation or depression.

Episodes were most frequent during the menstru…